DA bans pork movement in 25 Ilocos towns due to ASF

Movement of live pigs and pork products remains prohibited in 25 towns and cities across Ilocos Region due to African swine fever (ASF) as of Wednesday.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that 15 affected localities are in Ilocos Sur, eight in La Union, and two in Ilocos Norte, the most recent addition of infected areas.

Dr. Allen Mae Doctolero, DA-1 regulatory assistant division chief, emphasized the importance of biosecurity protocols to prevent further spread of ASF and discouraged hog raisers from patronizing swine from red zones.

Local government units have been strictly implementing quarantine measures, restricting movement of pork products, conducting culling when necessary, and adhering to new guidelines that reduce the depopulation radius to 500 meters.

Hog raisers affected by ASF will receive indemnification from the DA, with compensation rates ranging from PHP4,000 for piglets to PHP12,000 for breeders per head, up to a maximum of 20 heads per grower.