Government to buy 30 thousand breeder pigs for repopulation program

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to purchase 30,000 breeder pigs next year to boost the government’s hog repopulation program and help farmers recover from the devastating impact of African swine fever (ASF).

DA Undersecretary for livestock Constante Palabrica said the procurement would focus on young female pigs or gilts which will be used for breeding to rebuild the country’s stock and strengthen local production capacity.

“For 2026, Congress has passed the P1.6 billion repopulation program. For pigs, 30,000 gilts will be purchased by my department,” Palabrica said during his speech at the celebration of the 32nd Meat Safety Consciousness Week in Quezon City.

He said the initiative would help revive the local hog industry and at the same time strengthen operations of slaughterhouses nationwide as it ensures a steady supply of locally raised hogs which would, in turn, support meat processors and retailers.

Palabrica highlighted the need to modernize locally registered meat establishments (LRMEs) or slaughterhouses accredited by local governments.

Many of these facilities, he said, still practice “floor dressing” or butchering animals directly on the floor, a method the DA seeks to eliminate to meet national hygienic and food safety standards.

Palabrica said the country’s livestock sector remains promising, citing strong government support and new investments aimed at improving animal production and food safety.

He said that under a recently signed law, the government will allocate around P20 billion annually for a national livestock fund to support disease control programs, infrastructure development and research to further strengthen the industry.

In particular, he said a budget of P100 million has been allotted for 2026, with another similar amount set for 2027, to establish meat laboratories that will help improve quality testing and compliance with food safety standards.