PNA file photo MALASIQUI, Pangasinan - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has distributed over 2,000 sentinel piglets to the backyard hog raisers whose pigs were culled due to the African swine fever (ASF) as part of the recovery program. In a phone interview on Monday, assistant provincial veterinarian Jovito Tabajeros said all the ASF-affected hog raisers in the 36 towns and cities in the province have received sentinel piglets. Tabajeros said the second batch of sentinel piglets will be given to the raisers in Laoac, Mangaldan, Asingan, and Natividad towns next week. "So far, after the ASF test on the sentinel animals, all tested negative for ASF. Hence, this is a good sign that we are on the way to repopulation," he said. Tabajeros said the sentinel animals have undergone a 40-day observation period under their assistance. "The sentinels will again be observed for about 90 to 120 days and then will be tested. If the tests turn negative, then the area will be declared free and they can start hog repopulation," he added. Prior to the sentineling program, backyard hog raisers prepared for the ASF recovery program by cleaning and disinfecting the areas where the hogs would be placed. The DA provided the ASF test kits, along with reader and laboratory equipment, power sprayers, ASF responder kits, and disinfectants. Tabajeros said they remain vigilant as the threat of ASF still remains as some parts of the country still record positive cases. "The threat is still there as there are still positive cases in some areas and there is still no vaccine against ASF. So we are asking everyone to still be vigilant up to the barangay level (and) for the officials to immediately report if there are signs or deaths of hogs in their jurisdictions," he said. Tabajeros said the DA is also launching a project worth PHP5.5 million for clustered hog raising to address the lack of supply of hogs or hog products in the country. "They are still looking for an area where they could put the project," he said. (PNA) }