ASF plagues 19 towns in Bicol

INQUIRER FILES

LEGAZPI CITY — The number of African Swine Fever (ASF) cases continues to rise in the Bicol region, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Lovella Guarin, DA Bicol information officer, told the Inquirer in an interview on Wednesday, September 11, that the ASF cases in Bicol are now at an alarming status.

“Based on the latest monitoring from August to September, there are 19 towns in the Bicol region infected with ASF,” Guarin said.

This figure includes the town of Oas in the province of Albay; Baao, Bula, Pili, Nabua, Ocampo, Libmanan, Presentacion, Tigaon, Minalabac, Sagñay, and Iriga City in Camarines Sur; Pandan, Caramoran, and Virac in Catanduanes; Cavarera, Dimasalang, and San Pascual in Masbate; and Pilar in Sorsogon.

To prevent the further spread of ASF, local government units have tightened checkpoints at the borders to prevent shipments of hogs and meat from leaving the affected areas.

“Depopulation measures have been implemented to prevent the disease from worsening and spreading,” Guarin said.

She added that 83 farmers affected by ASF will receive cash assistance ranging from P4,000 to P12,000 depending on their stage of swine production.