ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) -- The local government of Looc, Romblon, is actively seeking solutions to address the oversupply of hogs in their area, all while facing the looming threat of African Swine Fever (ASF).

During Kapihan sa PIA Romblon, Mayor Lisette Arboleda expressed the municipality's appeal to hog raisers to release and sell their pigs to hog traders from nearby towns and provinces.

According to the latest data from the Municipal Agriculture Office, Looc currently has more than 5,500 hogs being raised by local hog raisers. However, the town's demand is only 25-30 live hogs per day, which is low to mitigate the oversupply issue.

Arboleda maintained that pigs raised in Looc are ASF-free and safe for human consumption and transport to other towns and provinces. She added that since Looc town is classified under DA's pink zone, traders from other provinces have been sourcing hogs from the town.

"As much as possible, we are encouraging na kung pwede na i-dispose [ibenta] ay i-dispose na, halos araw-araw na po nandiyan 'yung barge [na namimili ng mga baboy]," according to Arboleda.

These hogs are then exported to provide a supply of pork to provinces that are grappling with ASF outbreaks.

Arboleda also issued a warning to opportunist hog traders who might take advantage of the situation by offering very low prices to hog raisers. She urged hog raisers to be cautious and not accept deals that undervalue their livestock and to report to their office in case it happened.

The local government is also closely coordinating with the provincial government regarding the status of ASF in the province and is now preparing measures to prevent this from entering their farmyard. (PJF/PIA Mimaropa - Romblon)