In the Ilocos Region, 25 areas are still designated as red zones due to the ongoing threat of African Swine Fever (ASF). This classification continues to enforce strict restrictions on the movement of live pigs, pork, pork products, and swine genetic materials in and out of these zones. The Department of Agriculture Ilocos regional office (DA-1) has identified that 15 of these affected areas are in Ilocos Sur, eight in La Union, and two in Ilocos Norte, marking the latest regions to be added to the list of infected areas.
Dr. Allen Mae Doctolero, the regulatory assistant division chief at DA-1, emphasized the importance of biosecurity measures among hog raisers to curb the spread of the virus. She advised against purchasing swine from red zones and other illegal products being introduced into the region. Local government units (LGUs) are actively enforcing quarantine measures, movement restrictions on pork products, and culling when necessary.
Recent changes in DA guidelines have adjusted the culling radius from 1 kilometer to 500 meters around infected areas. Pigs testing positive for ASF are culled, while those testing negative are sent to local slaughterhouses for immediate sale, subject to LGU approval. From July to September, La Union reported 2,470 culled pigs, Ilocos Sur 900, and Ilocos Norte 80. The number of affected hog raisers stands at 353 in La Union, 111 in Ilocos Sur, and 19 in Ilocos Norte.
Compensation for culled hogs is provided by the DA, with rates set at PHP4,000 per piglet, PHP8,000 per grower or fattener, and PHP12,000 per breeder, with a cap of 20 heads per grower. In September, 19 hog raisers in Rosario, La Union, where the first ASF cases of the year were reported, received a total of PHP595,000 in indemnification.
The DA has initiated the distribution of ASF vaccines, starting with trials in Batangas. Dr. Doctolero mentioned that the region awaits its allocation of vaccines from the central office. She also noted that flooding might have played a role in the spread of the virus, expressing hope that the end of the rainy season would help contain it. Despite these challenges, no reports of pork shortages have been received from the provinces.