In a significant development for the hog industry in Negros Oriental, three local government units (LGUs) have been elevated to the African swine fever (ASF) pink zone category, allowing them to transport their hogs beyond provincial borders. The announcement came from the Provincial Veterinary Office on January 24, 2025, highlighting that Vallehermoso, Ayungon, and Bais City have met the stringent criteria set by the Department of Agriculture (DA) for this upgrade, which was achieved in December.
The pink zone designation is a step up from the red zone, which restricts hog sales to within the province only. Pink zones are designated for areas adjacent to ASF-infected regions but are considered ASF-free. This new status enables hog farmers in these LGUs to expand their market reach, significantly boosting their economic prospects.
Furthermore, these LGUs are now eligible to participate in the DA’s sentinel program, aimed at repopulating hog numbers using sentinel pigs provided by either the local or national government. This initiative is crucial for areas recovering from ASF outbreaks.
Valencia town is currently in the process of meeting the necessary requirements to transition from a red to a pink zone. The town’s last reported ASF case was in a community last year. Meanwhile, Bais City is ambitiously aiming to further upgrade its status from pink to yellow, which is categorized as high-risk.
Despite no recent ASF cases being reported in Negros Oriental, the province is not considered ASF-free. Jaymar Vilos, the information officer-designate of the Provincial Veterinary Office, noted that many farmers are reluctant to have their pigs tested, fearing the economic repercussions of a positive ASF diagnosis.