Government eyeing to boost hog repopulation

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to procure around 32,000 gilts or female pigs that have not yet given birth, to intensify hog repopulation and speed up recovery from the impact of African swine fever (ASF).

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to restore the national swine population to the pre-ASF level of about 13 million heads.

The program will be implemented by the National Livestock Program through the Bureau of Animal Industry.

The DA is targeting to increase the local hog population by six million heads by 2028, to strengthen local pork supply.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program is a priority under the administration’s food security agenda.

“We need to produce at least one million more heads of pigs this year alone if we are to stabilize supply, reduce reliance on imports and move closer to President Marcos’ vision of a food-secure Philippines,” Tiu Laurel said.

The program, supported by P1.6 billion in funding, is anchored on the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, according to DA Undersecretary for livestock Constante Palabrica.

The law provides P20 billion annually over the next decade to strengthen the livestock sector.

Palabrica said that improved disease control has enabled the DA to ease emergency measures.