MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) issued a formal warning on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, regarding misleading information circulating about its Swine Repopulation Project (SRP). The agency clarified the program’s guidelines to ensure that hog raisers and the general public receive accurate information about the government’s efforts to rebuild the local swine industry following the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
The SRP is a three-year initiative designed to address the catastrophic impact of ASF on the Philippine hog industry.
- The Goal: To restore the country’s swine population and stabilize pork prices by establishing a structured, biosecure breeding system.
- Breeder Base System: The project creates a chain from source farms to multiplier farms, and finally to production farms, all while enforcing strict science-based biosecurity protocols.
- Distribution of Gilts: The program involves procuring gilts (young female pigs) from accredited local breeder farms. These are distributed to multiplier farms, which then provide piglets to identified beneficiaries.
- Capacity: Eligible multiplier farms can receive between 25 and 2,000 heads of gilts, depending on their capacity and compliance with biosecurity standards.
The DA noted that the SRP is part of a broader strategy, working alongside other major recovery programs:
- INSPIRE Program: Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion.
- SIRP: Swine Industry Recovery Project.
The DA’s warning stems from reports of unofficial platforms and individuals spreading incorrect guidelines or promises regarding the distribution of pigs and funding.
- Official Sources Only: The DA strongly advises the public to refer only to official Department of Agriculture platforms and local government agricultural offices for verified information and application guidelines.
- Biosecurity Focus: The agency emphasized that repopulation is not just about giving away pigs; it is about building a “resilient and sustainable” industry that can withstand future disease outbreaks through strict management protocols.
By clarifying these points, the DA aims to prevent small-scale hog raisers from falling victim to scams or misinformation that could jeopardize the biosecurity of their farms and the recovery of the national swine industry.