The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) on Thursday assured consumers that the region’s pork supply is adequate for the holiday season despite monitored cases of African swine fever (ASF).
Dr. Karl Laurence Pineda, DA-11 alternate livestock program focal, said during a press briefing here that the supply remains stable.
“As of now, there is no significant increase [in prices] yet. However, there might be a tendency for prices to rise depending on demand,” he said.
Pineda said that while some local government units (LGUs) have reported ASF cases, these have been contained.
“In the region, we already have mitigating measures to prevent the disease,” he added.
Meanwhile, 125 farmers and fishers from the Tiblawan Fishermen Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (TIFFARMCO) in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, received a PHP5 million bio-secured and climate-controlled swine facility under the DA-11’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) project.
The INSPIRE program supports hog sector recovery and repopulation, particularly in ASF-affected areas. The package includes a swine housing facility, 100 swine, feeds, and biologics to boost local swine production.
Pineda said the project will help the community accelerate the repopulation of hogs.
TIFFARMCO chairperson Roberto Armasa expressed gratitude for the assistance, saying, “We are happy and thankful for this help from DA and our LGU.” (PNA)
