11 Iloilo towns placed under ASF red zone

By John Noel E. Herrera

The number of towns in Iloilo province placed under the African Swine Fever (ASF) “red zone” (infected area) zoning classification increased to 11 after the Iloilo Provincial Veterinary Office (IPVO) confirmed that two barangays in Janiuay, Iloilo reported confirmed cases.

A report from IPVO indicated that six out of seven specimen samples from Brgys. Tolarucan and San Pedro Poblacion, Janiuay tested positive for ASF on Jan 12, 2023.

IPVO head Dr. Darel Tabuada said that there were reported unexplained hog deaths in the area, but they still do not have the exact data as investigations are still ongoing.

Tabuada added that the authorities are investigating how the cases spread since the two barangays are far from each other.

The IPVO also coordinated with the municipal agriculture office for the proper implementation of control measures and conducted blood collection of hogs for testing.

The Janiuay local government also cordoned the 500-meter radius where the index cases were detected.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. had issued Executive Order (EO) No. 001-A, amending EO 460 s. 2022, implementing adjusted quarantine procedures and disease prevention and control measures against ASF in the province.

The EO further stated that movements of live pigs, pork, pork products and swine genetic materials in and out of the tagged ASF-red zone towns are prohibited.

Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Administrative Order 52 mandated that a specific municipality will only be placed under a “red zone” if two or more barangays were already affected.

If the case was logged in one area or site, only the area within the 500-meter radius of the index case will be placed under the “red zone” classification.

To date, 12 towns in the province are already affected by ASF – Oton, San Miguel, Leganes, Santa Barbara, Mina, New Lucena, Alimodian, Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Banate, and Janiuay.

Data from IPVO indicated that 11 out of these 12 towns were already placed under “red zone”, which include the towns of Oton with 31 affected barangays, San Miguel (six affected barangays), Leganes (six affected barangays), Santa Barbara (six affected barangays), and the towns of New Lucena, Alimodian, Mina, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Batad, and Janiuay with two affected barangays each.

Meanwhile, Defensor earlier held a meeting with all mayors in the fifth district of Iloilo to discuss concerns about ASF.

He also said that despite the spread of ASF in towns, the province is slowly adjusting its approaches and responses to the disease as the local leaders already knew how to deal with ASF.

The governor also cited the province’s existing executive orders which aimed to strengthen the measures to contain the spread of ASF, just like the TaHuM (Tapak, Hugas, kag Matinlo nga Pagpakaon) campaign and the Pork Festival Kontra ASF.

Tabuada, on the other hand, noted that they had already started distributing cash assistance to ASF-affected farmers in Iloilo, which was taken from the approved P40 million supplemental budget of the province.

A cash aid amounting to P7,000 will be given to farmers who had one to five hog heads that were depopulated; P10,000 for six to 10 heads; P15,000 for 11 to 15 heads; P20,000 for 16 to 20 heads; P25,000 for 21 to 25 heads; and P30,000 for 26 heads and above.

Data from IPVO showed that the number of depopulated hogs in the province increased to 1,852, while there are already 193 farmers who are affected by the depopulation.

Aside from Iloilo province, the island of Guimaras and Iloilo City are also affected by the said hog disease in Western Visayas.