INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Philippines — Local government and agriculture officials have started monitoring hog stocks in communities here after Dumaguete recorded its first confirmed cases of African swine fever (ASF) last week.
Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo issued Executive Order No. 8 to stop the entry and exit of live pigs and pork products in Barangay Cadawinonan where hogs died due to ASF.
He also ordered the immediate culling of pigs within the 500-meter radius of the infection’s “ground zero” to prevent the possible spread of the highly contagious and deadly disease affecting hogs.
“The deadly virus affecting pigs has already infected the livelihood of some livestock farmers of the barangay (Cadawinonan),” said Remollo in his executive order dated June 9.
“The disease poses no direct threat to humans. However, considering that pork is a part of the diet of many Filipinos, the disease endangers the economy and food security. Hence, there is a need to temporarily ban the entry and exit of… pigs, to include fresh and frozen products in the barangay,” he added.
The mayor said Section 16 of the Local Government Code (Republic Act No. 7160) empowers municipal or city officials to promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology and enhance economic prosperity, among others.
The Inquirer on Wednesday tried but failed to reach Dr. Marites Arapols, the city veterinarian. But in an interview on Tuesday with the government-run Philippine News Agency, Arapols said pigs within the 500-meter radius of the community where the first cases were detected tested negative for ASF.
No other pig death was recorded in the village as of Tuesday.
Arapols appealed to residents and barangay officials of Cadawinonan to closely monitor pigs near the village and in nearby barangays like Balugo and Talay to prevent the spread of ASF.
According to Arapols, it usually takes about 14 days before an infected pig shows symptoms of the disease.
She also asked hog raisers to stop feeding their pigs with swill since it could be a potential carrier of the virus.
Last month, Negros Oriental reported its first ASF case in Barangay Maayong Tubig, Dauin town. At least 265 hogs were culled to stop the spread of the virus to other areas in the province, including the capital city of Dumaguete.