Antique: The provincial board is advocating for the inclusion of native swine production under the insurance coverage of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

According to Philippines News Agency, Board Member Karmila Rose Dimamay has authored a resolution urging this inclusion during their regular session. The proposal aims to protect farmers from potential losses due to African swine fever (ASF) and other diseases. Currently, PCIC's insurance only covers high-breed swine.

Dimamay highlighted that native swine are susceptible to diseases like ASF but are not covered by PCIC's current insurance policy. She noted this gap following a recent caucus with the agricultural sector in Barbaza, where swine breeders requested the resolution to ensure insurance for their livestock.

She further mentioned that native swine breeders in the municipality reported production losses due to ASF in 2023 without receiving any indemnity. Currently, there are about 1,000 native pigs being raised in Barangay Esparar and Barangay Mayabay.