SENTINELLING PROGRAM. The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region continues to repopulate the hog industry ravaged by the African swine fever through the sentinelling program. The program has a total allocation of PHP5.2 million and PHP2.1 million for sentinel pigs and feeds, respectively. (Photo courtesy of DA-13)
BUTUAN CITY – Through its repopulation program, the Department of Agriculture - Caraga Region (DA-13) said it is making headway in reviving the region’s hog industry after being ravaged by the African swine fever (ASF).
In a statement Monday, DA-13 said the sentinelling program this month will benefit around 178 hog raisers in the region.
“The distribution of sentinel pigs and feeds started on June 8 and will continue until the end of this month to support the repopulation of the hog industry in the region,” DA-13 said.
At least PHP5.2 million worth of sentinel pigs and PHP2.1 million for feeds have been allocated for the sentinelling program of DA-13 this month.
Some 195 sentinel pigs are allotted for 65 recipients in Agusan del Norte, 100 for 33 beneficiaries in Surigao del Norte, and 240 for 80 recipients in Surigao del Sur.
“The sentinelling aims to revive the hog production in the municipalities which the ASF hit,” DA-13 said.
The hog disease struck the region during the late part of 2020 and has since affected the hog industry in the past two years.
Data from DA-13 indicated that the ASF has caused some PHP44 million in losses, affecting 3,708 hogs.
In 2021, the agency facilitated the release of indemnification to the affected hog raisers amounting to PHP6.4 million.
The local government units in the region also extended indemnification to the affected hog raisers for the past two years with PHP1.8 million from the municipal and city levels and another PHP1.8 million from the provincial governments.
The sentinelling program is a science-based preparation for hog repopulation in ASF-stricken areas to ascertain if the disease still exists. (PNA)
