TABUK CITY, Kalinga — City veterinary officials urged residents, farmers and community leaders Monday to immediately report suspected African swine fever (ASF) cases as surveillance and verification efforts expanded across 18 of the city’s 43 barangays.

Tabuk City Veterinarian Carmen Wanas stressed that early notification is vital to containing the viral disease, which has affected approximately 580 pigs across the municipality to date.

The active surveillance list includes Barangays Agbannawag, Nambaran, Malalao, Bulo, Bulanao, Calanan, New Ganglag, Gobgob, Masablang, San Juan, Casigayan, Dilag, Laya West, Appas and Cudal.

Meanwhile, Barangay Cabaruan was officially removed from the list after recording zero new infections for five consecutive months.

When hog raisers flag suspected cases, veterinary teams perform field inspections, rapid testing, and blood sample collection for laboratory verification.

Confirmed outbreaks trigger animal culling, premise sanitization and strict disinfection protocols overseen alongside local officials.

City authorities appealed to livestock owners not to conceal sick animals, highlighting financial assistance available through the Department of Agriculture.

Under DA guidelines, eligible farmers receive P4,000 per affected weanling, P8,000 per grower or finisher, and P12,000 per breeding sow.