COTABATO province gave away 125 piglets aged one to one-and-a-half months to hog raisers on Tuesday to help the local industry and show that it is not affected by African swine fever.
More than 2,000 piglets have been distributed in the nine months to September. The province is set to approve an ordinance banning the entry of live hogs and processed products from countries affected by the African swine fever virus.
The activity was capped by a lechon festival that featured whole roasted pigs cooked over charcoal.
Meanwhile, the province will build a P12-million quarantine facility with foot baths, wheel baths and sprays. The local government expects to finish the construction by year-end, provincial veterinarian Rufino C. Sorupia said. — Maya M. Padillo
