PNA file photo MALASIQUI, Pangasinan - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has distributed over 2,000 sentinel piglets to the backyard hog raisers whose pigs were culled due to the African swine fever (ASF) as part of the recovery program. In a phone interview on Monday, assistant provincial veterinarian Jovito Tabajeros said all the ASF-affected hog raisers in the 36 towns and cities in the province have received sentinel piglets. Tabajeros said the second batch of sentinel piglets will be given to the raisers in Laoac, Mangaldan, Asingan, and Natividad towns next week. "So far, after the ASF test on the sentinel animals, all tested negative for ASF. Hence, this is a good sign that we are on the way to repopulation," he said. Tabajeros said the sentinel animals have undergone a 40-day observation period under their assistance. "The sentinels will again be observed for about 90 to 120 days and then will be tested. If the tests turn negative, then the area will be declared