LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Swine farmers in Benguet province have lost 380 pigs to culling and disease in 2026 as local authorities struggle to contain the spread of African swine fever (ASF), officials said Thursday.

The outbreak has caused an estimated P7.77 million in damages across the affected municipalities of Itogon, La Trinidad and Sablan, according to Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Purita Lesing.

Itogon recorded the highest concentration of infections with 21 cases, followed by La Trinidad with 10 and Sablan with two.

Local officials have allocated approximately P2 million for farmer indemnification, but plan to request additional relief funds from the Cordillera regional office of the Department of Agriculture to support impacted livestock raisers.

Lesing urged farmers to report any dead pigs immediately to local authorities and strictly prohibited the practice of dumping carcasses in waterways, advising proper burial instead.

To halt further transmission, the Provincial Veterinary Office advised hog raisers against buying pigs from infected regions outside the province.

She also cautioned farmers against buying pig semen online or conducting artificial insemination