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Luzon LGUs tighten hog movement rules due to ASF

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Inquirer Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Restrictions on the movement of live hogs and pork products are widening across Luzon as local government units (LGUs) respond to reported cases of African swine fever (ASF) in parts of Kalinga and Pangasinan, while another town in Oriental Mindoro has imposed preventive measures to protect its swine industry.

In Tabuk City, the African swine fever task force recommended that the city council declare a state of calamity after confirmed ASF cases were reported in 21 barangays.

The Tabuk City Public Information Office, in a statement on Oct. 2, said the recommendation was made during the task force’s Oct. 1 meeting, where City Veterinarian Dr. Carmen Wanas reported 1,451 affected hogs with an estimated value of P21.765 million.

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Councilor Juan Thomas Duyan said the task force also recommended a 30-day total ban on the entry of live hogs and pork by-products, whether accompanied by documents or not.

Appeal

“Report to us immediately if there are sick pigs. Do not conceal or slaughter them. Do not dump or dispose of them in open areas, such as rivers or creeks,” she said.

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Wanas also called on barangay officials to strengthen monitoring of hog farms and report suspected cases to authorities in compliance with Ordinance No. 026, Series of 2024, which adopts the Bantay ASF sa Barangay program.

The Inquirer has reached out to the Department of Agriculture for its assessment of the situation and action plan for the Cordillera, but the agency has yet to provide a report.

In Aguilar, Pangasinan, the municipal government has imposed a temporary ban on the entry into and exit from the town of live swine, pork and pork by-products as part of measures to control the spread of ASF.

The ban is contained in Executive Order No. 76-2026 issued on Monday.

Aguilar is the second municipality in Pangasinan to restrict the movement of live swine and pork products within its territory.

Bayambang issued EO 156 on Oct. 1 after “isolated” ASF cases were detected in six barangays.

The Bureau of Animal Industry has also reported ASF cases in Alaminos City and the towns of Malasiqui and Mapandan.

Checkpoints

In Oriental Mindoro, the municipal government of Naujan has imposed a temporary ban on the entry of live hogs to protect its swine industry from ASF.

Mayor Henry Joel Teves signed Municipal Executive Order No. 26-040 on Sept. 29. The order covers live hogs brought into the municipality for sale, breeding, slaughter or any other purpose.

ASF checkpoints will be established at entry points to inspect vehicles transporting hogs and verify health certificates and other required documents.

The restrictions also cover traders, breeders and shipments of frozen pork and pork products.

Hog raisers have been directed to strengthen farm biosecurity measures, including the use of footbaths, perimeter fencing, regular disinfection and pest control.

Residents have also been urged to immediately report unusual hog deaths, suspected ASF symptoms and unauthorized transport or sale of hogs and pork products to the Municipal Agriculture Office or barangay officials.

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The Naujan municipal government said the town and the entire province of Oriental Mindoro remain free from ASF. —Reports from Maureen Matayew, Ire Joe V.C. Laurente and Yolanda Sotelo

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