Agriculture Secretary William Dar assured hog raisers that the Department of Agriculture (DA) will continue to lay down and strictly implement measures to ensure a stable and healthy hog industry.

During a brief meeting on Feb. 27, 2021 with Lester and Heidee Ong of Rockefeller Farm and Creekview Genetics, the agri chief stressed that the government continues to distribute assistance to hog raisers gravely affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF).

He added that a loan package from Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines is being finalized to provide credit assistance to hog raisers at three percent interest rate per annum.

“Once the implementing guidelines are finalized, I urge everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to prevent further damage to the Philippine hog sector,” the agri chief said.

The Secretary added that DA’s repopulation program will remain to be one of the key strategies of DA to revive the hog industry and stabilize pork prices.

“We will repopulate in green zone areas, and pour in funds in provinces which remain to be ASF-free,” he said.

The Ongs thanked DA for actively pursuing actions to support the sector including the facilitation of credit window facilities and insurance.

“Maganda ang mga programa na DA sa ngayon, lalo na yung repopulation initiative dahil layunin talaga nitong i-ensure ang supply ng baboy lalo na ngayong nasa krisis tayo,” Heidee said.

The female Ong added that through the help of the government, the industry will continue to thrive and survive.

“This is the first time that a Secretary reached out to the grassroots. Ngayon lang po kami naka-experience na ang regional director ay regular na bumibisita sa aming mga magbababoy,” Heidee and Lester said in unison.

Rockefeller Farm and Creekview Genetics is both a communal swine breeding and fattening farm located in ASF-free or green zone Zamboanga Peninsula.

Secretary Dar urged continuous partnership from private stakeholders, and encouraged them to pursue higher level of biosecurity measures.

“We are happy that the private sector is cooperating in our actions. We must continue to work together, the national government, the local government units, and the private sector to address and put a stop to this problem,” Sec. Dar said. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)