DA targets to boost PH hog population to pre-ASF levels by 2028

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it's fast-tracking efforts to revive the swine industry, which was hit by African Swine Fever (ASF), through an expanded repopulation program.

In a news release, the DA said it is procuring around 32,000 gilts (young female pigs)—an initiative being spearheaded by the National Livestock Program (NLP) through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to restore the national swine population to its pre-ASF level of about 13 million heads, according to the Agriculture Department.

In particular, the DA is targeting the addition of six million hogs by 2028, “underscoring both the scale of losses since 2019 and the urgency of strengthening domestic supply.”

“We need to produce at least one million more head of pigs this year alone if we are to stabilize supply, reduce reliance on imports, and move closer to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a food-secure Philippines driven by stronger local production,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

The DA said NLP is backed by P1.6 billion in funding.

The program is anchored on the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act (AIDCA), which provides P20 billion annually over the next decade through the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ANCEF) to strengthen the livestock sector.

“We have not detected infected pigs for some time now, which allowed us to dismantle checkpoints in Metro Manila after two years. This reflects the effectiveness of our containment strategies,” said DA Undersecretary for Livestock Constante Palabrica.

Palabrica, however, said the BAI remains vigilant as it expands the hog repopulation program nationwide.

Vaccination efforts continue for ASF and avian influenza, with the DA also exploring additional vaccine suppliers to ensure sustained livestock health and resilience. —VAL, GMA News