The Department of Agriculture (DA) 3 (Central Luzon) has distributed sentinel piglets to 105 more hog raisers in this province who were affected by African swine fever (ASF).

The move is under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) of the DA’s National Livestock Program.

Agripina Tuazon, Agriculturist II of the DA’s Livestock Program, said on Wednesday that 45 and 60 hog raisers in San Simon and Bacolor, respectively received three sentinel piglets each on Tuesday.

“Ito ay naglalayong matulungang makapagsimula ang mga magbababoy na naapektuhan ng ASF (This aims to help the hog raisers affected by ASF to restart),” Tuazon said in a social media post.

A total of 449 sentinel piglets have been distributed to ASF-hit swine raisers from the towns of Apalit, Minalin, Macabebe, San Simon, and Bacolor.

The DA also provided disinfectants, antibiotics, and vitamins for the piglets.

Tuazon said the sentineling program is a prelude for hog repopulation in the ASF-hit towns.

She said it is a science-based approach that aims to ascertain if a virus or disease is still present in a certain area.

“Ang proyektong ito ay magsisilbing trial o eksperimento sa mga lugar na naapektuhan ng ASF upang malaman kung ang ASF virus ay naroroon pa rin (The project will serve as trial or experiment to places hit by ASF to determine if the virus is still there),” Tuazon said.

She added that the sentinel pigs would be closely observed for months. (PNA)