The Cebu City government is stepping up measures to contain African swine fever (ASF) in three upland villages as authorities move to remove more than 50 pigs from affected areas and continue surveillance for additional infections.
Kenneth Siasar, chief of staff of Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, during a press briefing said that the city is coordinating with the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) and other offices to contain the spread of the disease in barangays Toong, Buhisan, and Pamutan.
The latest DVMF report cited by Siasar showed seven pig deaths as of Sunday, September 20. He also reported 14 deaths recorded earlier in September, while more than 50 pigs in the affected areas have been identified for culling as part of the containment effort.
Siasar clarified that the city’s use of the term ‘culling’ refers to the removal or separation of pigs in areas affected or considered at risk, rather than indicating that all of the more than 50 animals had already died.
The development places additional pressure on backyard and small-scale hog raisers in the city, who face the loss of livestock and restrictions on animal movement while authorities work to prevent the disease from spreading to other communities.
The city government is continuing disease surveillance in the affected barangays to determine the extent of infection and identify possible sources of the reported deaths.
Authorities are also looking into possible movements of pigs from other towns, including Consolacion and Liloan, as part of efforts to trace potential transmission routes.
Siasar said testing is being conducted within a 500-meter radius of affected areas. Carmel Pedroza
Police personnel are also being deployed to help enforce movement restrictions around the affected barangays, particularly in areas where pigs cannot immediately be removed.
The city is coordinating with its Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) for equipment that will be needed to remove dead pigs from affected areas.
These measures are aimed at preventing infected animals from being transported beyond the identified hotspots, a key concern for the local hog industry given the economic losses associated with ASF outbreaks.
Siasar said affected hog raisers may receive indemnification under Department of Agriculture (DA) guidelines, although the amount depends on the animal’s age, weight and classification.
Under the rates cited during the briefing, pigs aged 21 to 90 days are covered for P4,000, while hogs weighing 25 to 70 kilograms are covered for P8,000. Sows are covered for P12,000.
The assistance, however, applies only to registered animals.
Siasar acknowledged that some affected hogs are not registered and therefore may not qualify for the regular DA indemnification program. The city is seeking other forms of assistance, including support through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, for affected raisers who may be left outside the regular compensation system. The city is also looking at alternative sources of livelihood for affected families while restrictions remain in place.
Siasar said some residents have received cockerels, while ready-to-lay chickens have also been provided with assistance from private companies.
The livelihood interventions are intended to help households whose income from hog raising has been disrupted by the outbreak and the resulting movement controls.