The African Swine Fever (ASF) virus has spread further to another town in Negros Oriental, as swine deaths in Negros Occidental due to cholera and other diseases also rose to almost 6,000, as of May 25.
In an executive order dated May 25, Sibulan Mayor Jose Abiera ordered a temporary ban on the entry and exit of hogs, including fresh and frozen pork products, and suspension of swine related activities in the town.
Abiera also directed the local ASF task force to conduct an immediate culling of pigs in Purok Apitong, Brgy. Tubtubon, and the western portion of Brgy. Molocboloc, as well as in southern portion of Brgy. Magatas, and within the 500-meter radius, to prevent the spread of ASF.
Abiera said the swine deaths in Purok Apitong was triggered by the ASF virus, based on laboratory examinations by the Agriculture department’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
The BAI also confirmed earlier that hog deaths in Dauin, Negros Oriental was likewise due to the ASF virus.
While LGUs in Negros Oriental battled ASF, Negros Occidental is also combating the spread of hog cholera, which already affected 5.5 percent of swine population, as reported Friday by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
The Provincial Incident Management Team has recorded 459 swine deaths Friday, in addition to the 5,968 hog mortalities reported, as of May 25.
Estimated damage to Negros Occidental swine industry has been pegged at P71.3 million, affecting 1,220 hog raisers in 110 barangays of 14 local government units.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office acting head, Maria Gerla Espinosa Dario, said that they are now discussing and finalizing plans with the Office of the Provincial Agriculture, Provincial Veterinary Office, and Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, of extending assistance, between P2,000 to P5,000 each, to hog raisers and caretakers.
Lacson, however, said that the financial assistance maybe on a limited scale.
He said the first line of defense against the spread of cholera and other hog diseases is now between LGUs and between barangays of town or city.
“It’s unfortunate that we are losing more heads on a daily basis. But we are trying our best to control it,” the governor said.
Dario said she will also ask additional assistance from the DSWD regional office, under its convergence program, noting that livelihood assistance to hog raisers was also given in other provinces.
San Enrique in Negros Occidental continues to top LGUs with recorded hog deaths at 2,692, of which 434 died Thursday.
“Because it is happening every day, there is a tendency that the figure will continue to rise,” Lacson said.
Let’s see how the trend will be in the coming days,” the governor said when asked if he will declare an outbreak of hog cholera in the province.
Lacson stressed that Negros Occidental remains free of ASF./GB
