A group of hog raisers in Negros Occidental raised concerns that the supply of hogs in the province may not be enough this holiday season due to African swine fever (ASF).

This was after the group — the Association of Hog Raisers in Negros Occidental — conducted an assessment in preparation for the expected high demand for hogs this holiday season, according to a report on GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas on “Unang Balita” yesterday.

“We are looking [into possibilities] that starting October to December, maybe kukulangin na ang suplay natin. Our worry is, we cannot supply later on to our market since pinapaubos na,” the association’s president Ric Lauron said.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) gave the assurance that the supply of hogs in the province is enough because of the limits placed on transporting them outside the province.

“Nakikita namin na kapag magtuloy-tuloy na walang lumalabas na baboy [sa probinsiya] ay sapat ang suplay within the province. Marami pa tayong baboy, mga buhay na baboy,” PVO officer-in-charge Dr. Placeda Lemana said.

According to PVO data, more than 200,000 hogs are currently being raised in the province.

To help the local hog industry recover from the effects of ASF, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson approved a recovery plan which specifies the steps the hog raisers can take with assistance from the provincial government.

The provincial government also said it will conduct a hog repopulation program in 2024. (GMA Integrated News)