Hinoba-an, the southernmost locality of Negros Occidental, is optimistic about more buyers and better prices of local hogs after obtaining a recognition of active surveillance on African swine fever (RAS-ASF) from the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Animal Industry.
Hinoba-an Mayor Daph Reliquias on Saturday, July 18, posted on Facebook a copy of the certificate, recognizing the municipality’s valuable contribution and support for the prevention and control of 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,” he said. “This is also the time when live weight prices of pigs sold in Hinoba-an will increase.”
Reliquias said buyers are usually from the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Cebu, and other places in 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.
In terms of live weight selling, the mayor said that from only PHP110 per kg. a few days ago, the price of live weight will be increased to PHP125 per kg., as agreed with the Municipal Agriculture Office.
“If there is a buyer or shipper who buys at PHP130 to PHP150 and above, it would be better to allow our hog raisers to recover,” he added.
Reliquias encouraged hog raisers to weigh their pigs at the “Kilohan nang Bayan” for fair trade and weighing of their pigs.
Hinoba-an, which is listed as a yellow (surveillance) zone, was issued the certificate of recognition on July 15, after its active surveillance in nine barangays on July 1 was proven negative of ASF by the Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory.
These include Alim, Bacuyangan, Bulwangan, Culipapa, Daug, Poblacion I, Poblacion II, Pook, and San Rafael, and covered 1,018 farms with a total population of 15,764 pigs.*PNA
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