Iloilo: The Iloilo provincial government is intensifying its efforts to strengthen biosecurity measures in backyard piggeries, despite not having reported any new cases of African swine fever (ASF) in over a year. 'Our effort is no longer on the streets or borders but in every backyard,' provincial veterinarian Dr. Darel Tabuada mentioned in an interview.

According to Philippines News Agency, the province has allocated PHP1 million for the biosecurity training of livestock farmers. This training is set to take place in a demo area, which is a bio-secured backyard farm proposed to be established in the municipality of Tigbauan. Although the swine industry in the area has shown signs of recovery, officials emphasize the importance of continued vigilance. Dr. Tabuada noted that livestock farmers should not become complacent, and backyard farmers need to improve their animal husbandry practices, especially given the increasing swine inventory.

The procurement process for the training is currently underway, with hopes to kickstart the initiative by May. Dr. Tabuada also highlighted that more than half of the 28 local government units previously affected by ASF have advanced to the pink or buffer zone stage. In these zones, farmers are permitted to raise hogs on a staggered basis under the Department of Agriculture's sentinel program, which ensures controlled and regulated repopulation.