ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | March 18, 2021
Isinumite na ng Department of Agriculture (DA) kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang rekomendasyong ideklara ang national state of emergency dahil sa African swine fever (ASF) na naging dahilan ng pagkaunti ng mga baboy at pagtaas ng presyo nito.
Ayon kay DA Secretary William Dar, "(The) ASF is a severe and fatal disease of domestic and wild pigs that is currently decimating the local hog industry of the country.
The disease has already spread to 12 regions, 40 provinces, 466 cities and municipalities, and 2,425 barangays to date.”
Saad pa ng DA sa memorandum, “Over three million heads of pig have been lost due to the disease, causing a contraction in pork supply and an unprecedented increase in the price of basic agricultural commodities.”
Samantala, noong Miyerkules, nag-launch ang DA ng P15-billion lending program para sa mga commercial hog raisers na apektado ng ASF.