Manila, Feb. 24 -- The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said Tuesday that the number of barangays affected by African swine fever (ASF) has dropped to 19 from the 27 recorded on Feb. 11.

The affected barangays were logged in 15 municipalities in the Cordillera region, Central Visayas, Mimaropa, Central and Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.

On Monday, BAI Director Christian Daquigan said the government is also advancing its repopulation program to aid the hog sector in recovering from the effects of ASF.

"Iyong tinatawag naming Swine Recovery Program po, iyon po iyong magpapamigay po ang gobyerno ng 32,000 gilts (young female pigs) sa mga nag-aalaga ho ng baboy (Through what we call the Swine Recovery Program, the government wil...