Philippines & The Return Of The Natives

Today, while I know the Department of Agriculture, DA, of my country the Philippines, has been and continues doing its best to contain the devastation of the African swine fever, ASF, and minimizing piggery losses all over the archipelago, I embark on a journey of nativitization – my invention, to mean going back to the native habits and habitats:

To counterbalance the debilitating force of the foreign invader ASF, I’m thinking of the DA embarking on the rehabilitating force of The Return Of The Natives.

Under Secretary of Agriculture William Dar, the DA must now cultivate what I call the Asian Swine Fervor, ASF², piggeries raising any of the Philippine native pigs, the best under the circumstances: not picky with food or feed; are hardy, resistant to pests & diseases, and most of all have meats more delicious than any of the imported porks!

And of course, you are sure that the animal has not been slaughtered because it got sick with the African swine fever.

The strains/lines of Philippine swine I know are from the provinces of Abra, Kalinga, Marinduque, Mt Province, Pangasinan, Quezon, and Zambales. And how come I know all those? I just happened to be the editor and producer of the book titled Philippine Native Animals and subtitled Sources Of Pride & Wealth Worth Conserving & Utilizing, published in March 2016 by the National Swine & Poultry Research & Development Center based at Tiaong, Quezon Province. The center is under the Bureau of Animal Industry, which is under the DA. The authors of the book are Rene C Santiago, Angel L Lambio and Karen C Dimaranan. Mr Santiago is the Director of the Center.

Here are excerpts from the book:

Native pigs are known for their ability to grow and multiply even under adverse environmental conditions. They are budget-friendly and thus fit the economic conditions of small-scale farmers. 

The native pigs can (almost) raise themselves, as long as there are low-lying plants in the backyard or farm where they are raised. With their long snouts, they will forage for anything to feed on that is organic.

Yes! Philippine native pigs are organically grounded!

Locally available native foods include taro, sweet potato, water spinach, banana trunks & leaves, copra, rice bran, cassava, elephant yam.

Up to now, the Philippines is having heartaches with the African swine fever. The issue of 14 July 2020 of PhilStar[1] has a collection of news items on the ASF: “As It Happens: African Swine Fever In The Philippines” – the short mentions include what’s happening from February to July in Benguet, Davao Occidental, Ifugao, Kalinga, and North Cotabato. The African swine fever is not going to leave these islands anytime soon!

But take heart – we can conquer the universe of swine husbandry:

With our Philippine pigs:
Cheaper to raise.
Sharper to taste.
Healthier to digest.

Above inset image, charcoal-roasted pig, from Adobo Chronicles[2], with caption: “Filipino lechon may prolong your life.” Why? No vaccines, no antibiotics, no growth hormones. The food is all-natural, the meat au-naturel – the results, a healthy diner!@517

 

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[1]https://www.philstar.com/happens/775

[2]https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fadobochronicles.com%2F2015%2F06%2F15%2Ffilipino-lechon-may-prolong-your-life%2F&psig=AOvVaw2J6QfpMsTYkzuFCAeHYhNj&ust=1595060799236000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLjYhvDu0-oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD