Three local government units in Negros Occidental have been declared Pink Zones or African Swine Fever (ASF)-free, Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Placeda Lemana, said on Wednesday, May 29.
The LGUs that were downgraded from Red to Pink Zones are Pulupandan and Hinigaran towns, and Silay City.
The Department of Agriculture said if an LGU is declared a Pink Zone, it can start the sentineling program and it will be the basis of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation to resume insurance coverage to affected farmers.
The declaration of Pink Zones came after series of surveillance activities like blood collection for laboratory tests coupled with submission of required documents, Lemana said.
She added these LGUs can declare locally that they are ASF-Free and they can apply for recognition of active surveillance as a requirement for shipment of pigs outside the province.
After the Pink Zone, they can upgrade to the Yellow Zone where repopulation and breeding will be allowed after an LGU ordinance.*