Photo courtesy of PNA.
Ilocos Norte has recorded no African swine fever cases since the first quarter of 2025, a development the provincial government credited to coordinated efforts among local authorities, hog raisers, and other stakeholders.
The Provincial Veterinary Office on Tuesday said the province had sustained its ASF-free status through continued monitoring and cooperation among communities involved in the hog industry.
Provincial Veterinarian Loida Valenzuela said Ilocos Norte’s recovery should be maintained by complying with biosecurity measures required by the government.
She said hog raisers should move away from old practices and adopt safer systems that could prevent ASF from again threatening the province’s swine industry.
The Bureau of Animal Industry listed Ilocos Norte among 12 provinces that had recovered from ASF, placing it under the yellow zone or surveillance category.
The classification means the province is no longer reporting active ASF cases but remains at risk because of its large swine population and the movement of pigs, pork, and pork products.
Valenzuela said the province’s hog sector had continued to grow despite earlier threats from the disease, allowing Ilocos Norte to help supply pork requirements in neighboring provinces.
Market monitoring showed pork prices in the province ranged from Php 280 to Php 340 per kilogram.