Manila: Hinoba-an, the southernmost locality of Negros Occidental, is optimistic about attracting more buyers and securing better prices for local hogs after receiving recognition for active surveillance on African swine fever (RAS-ASF) from the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Industry.

According to Philippines News Agency, Hinoba-an Mayor Daph Reliquias shared on Facebook a certificate acknowledging the municipality's significant efforts in preventing and controlling ASF through active surveillance. "We have officially received the RAS. This is what we have been waiting for so that more buyers and shippers will come to Hinoba-an," Reliquias stated. "This is also the time when live weight prices of pigs sold in Hinoba-an will increase."

Reliquias noted that buyers typically come from the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Cebu, and other areas in the Negros Island Region. "We have made sure that buyers from outside Hinoba-an can come here to ensure a steady income for our hog producers, while we also assure them that the meat sold in our town is of quality, safe, and ASF-free," he added.

The mayor highlighted that the live weight price of pigs has risen from PHP110 per kg to PHP125 per kg, as determined with the Municipal Agriculture Office. He also mentioned that if a buyer or shipper offers between PHP130 to PHP150 or more, it would help hog raisers to recover financially.

Reliquias urged hog raisers to use the 'Kilohan nang Bayan' for fair trade and accurate weighing of their pigs. Hinoba-an, classified as a yellow (surveillance) zone, received the certificate of recognition on July 15, following negative ASF results from active surveillance conducted on July 1 in nine barangays. This included Alim, Bacuyangan, Bulwangan, Culipapa, Daug, Poblacion I, Poblacion II, Pook, and San Rafael, covering 1,018 farms with a total of 15,764 pigs.