The Department of Agriculture (DA) joins the international community in celebrating World Food Day by distributing milk and rice to children of fire victims from different areas in Quezon City. Employees of the agency were also given porridge. The celebration aims to remind Filipinos of the importance of unity to eradicate hunger in the country. Projects will also be implemented to boost production and ensure enough food supply in the country. Meanwhile, the agriculture department has announced the increase of assistance extended to local hog raisers, from PHP3,000 to PHP5,000 for every pig amid the onslaught of African swine fever (ASF) in some cities and provinces in the country. Early grantees of said assistance will receive an additional PHP2,000. This is meant to avert the sneaking of pigs out of ASF-plagued areas. To stop the spread of the the disease, the government has ordered a lockdown or cordoning off of ASF-validated zones in Bulacan and Pampanga. Part of the action is the setting up of foot baths and tire paths to disinfect anyone who enters and leaves the restricted areas.
