ASF toll: 20,000 hogs culled in 20 areas

The Quezon City government provided P3,000 to P3,500 for every culled hog. #ASFoutbreak #swinefever

Dar called for continued vigilance and cooperation of the industry and the general public to prevent ASF from further spreading. (WD)

The dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF) has already affected 12,000 hogs in more than 20 areas in the Philippines, exactly one month after the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed its first case in the country.

The toll was based on the ASF incident reports from several barangays in Bulacan and Pampanga. The agency also validated three new ASF cases in Barangay Tatalon, Commonwealth, and Tandang Sora in Quezon City.

“To date, the DA Crisis Management Task Force on Swine has reported that about 12,000 head of swine tested positive of ASF in more than 20 barangays in Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga and Quezon City,” the DA said in its latest report on ASF.

ASF Task Force head Dr. Reildrun Morales said the overall number of culled pigs represents one-third of the total depopulated pigs in “ground zero” or within the one-kilometer quarantine zones.

As the contagious hog virus continue to creep in the Metro Manila area, DA Secretary William Dar said, “Our commitment to protecting P260-billion swine industry — in partnership with the LGUs, PNP, military and other government agencies and the private sector — is stronger than ever.”

Authorities have observed all the possible measures to manage, control, and contain the disease.

Dar said foremost of their efforts was the strict implementation of the “1-7-10” protocol on ASF-affected barangays, and the “24-7” animal quarantine checkpoints to prevent the spread of the disease in other adjoining areas.

“Starting last week, we have deployed 100 additional staff to support laboratory operations, and airport and checkpoint inspections, as part our elevated response in ASF- affected areas,” Dar added.

Dar called for continued vigilance and cooperation of the industry and the general public to prevent ASF from further spreading.

“What’s on the line is the future of the swine industry, where 65 percent is shared by small backyard raisers,” Dar emphasized.

The DA chief also appealed to traders to stop buying ASF-affected hogs and to backyard raisers to stop selling ASF-sick pigs, as such malpractices are punishable by law.

The government has already released P82.5 million for ASF prevention.

Last week, DA Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan confirmed that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), approved the release of another P1 billion indemnification fund for hog raisers.

DBM Director Cristy Clasara disclosed that the Office of the President has approved another P18 million to indemnify hog growers in Rizal province.

Another P5 million earmarked for Bulacan is currently under approval by the DBM.

Meanwhile, the local government of Quezon City already released P13.3 million in financial assistance to affected hog raisers — more than two weeks after ASF was first reported in the city.

The QC government provided P3,000 to P3,500 for every culled hog.

In her first State of the City Address (SOCA), Mayor Joy Belmonte said a total of 4,466 pigs have already been culled in the city.

Belmonte announced earlier that the city allocated P10 million indemnification fund to be provided to backyard hog raisers.

However, during her SOCA, she said the city administrator found a way to raise the budget to P15 million.

While the disease is not transferable to humans and other animals, ASF fatally infects a swineherd. The disease has no known vaccine yet.