By Mariela Angella Oladive
Iloilo province recorded an 11.42% increase in swine production from January 2024 to March 2025, according to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).
The province’s hog population grew from 72,320 in January 2024 to 80,576 as of March 6, reflecting an increase of 8,256 heads.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. expressed optimism over the steady recovery of Iloilo’s hog industry.
“Our sentineling program is ongoing. Many of our hogs are sourced externally, and our backyard raisers, along with unaffected areas, are supporting the province. The good news is that our numbers are increasing,” Defensor said at a press conference.
Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry-Veterinary Quarantine Service (BAI-VQS) shows that from 2024 to 2025, Iloilo received 5.43 million kilograms of frozen and processed pork.
In early 2025 alone, the province imported 1.07 million kilograms of pork and received 17,479 live pigs from other regions.
Most of the live shipments came from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Palawan.
However, on Feb. 25, positive African swine fever (ASF) samples were detected in some pigs from Bohol, prompting stricter monitoring and quarantine measures.
Defensor noted that 17 out of 28 ASF-affected zones in Iloilo have been upgraded from red to pink status, while 11 municipalities remain in the red zone.
The red zone includes areas with active ASF cases and ongoing outbreaks.
The pink zone, or buffer zone, consists of areas transitioning to recovery, where restrictions ease as no new cases emerge.
To assist affected farmers, the provincial government has disbursed PHP9.6 million to 13 municipalities under its ASF Recovery Program.
The funds were allocated for the purchase of piglets, which will be distributed to qualified hog farmers in Barotac Viejo, New Lucena, Dingle, Banate, Sta. Barbara, San Miguel, Concepcion, Lambunao, Zarraga, Janiuay, Batad, Oton, and Mina.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) also continues to support the province’s hog industry through the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) Program.
Under the initiative, Sta. Barbara and Bingawan received 30 sow-level support, Barotac Viejo was provided with 200 sows, and Dingle received five boars for breeding programs.
While the increase in swine production signals progress, the provincial government remains focused on biosecurity measures to prevent future ASF outbreaks and ensure a stable pork supply.
