Nine Iloilo towns remain under ASF red zone

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Nine municipalities in Iloilo are classified as African swine fever (ASF) red zones as of July 2026, while 19 others are under the pink zone, according to the latest data from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV).

Under the province’s ASF zoning system, red zones refer to areas with active ASF infections.

Pink zones are municipalities transitioning from infection but remain subject to disease monitoring and movement controls.

The municipalities under the red zone are Badiangan, Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, Carles, Dueñas, Maasin, Mina, Pototan, and San Dionisio.

The data showed that ASF has affected 28 municipalities across the province.

Iloilo’s swine inventory stands at 127,336 head, comprising 116,941 hogs from backyard farms and 10,395 from semi-commercial and commercial farms.

Farmgate prices for live hogs currently range from PHP 130 to PHP 180 per kilogram.

Retail pork prices range from PHP 195 to PHP 350 per kilogram.

Despite the disease situation, the provincial government continues to allow the movement of live hogs and pork products under strict veterinary inspection and testing instead of imposing a total border closure.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said completely isolating ASF-positive areas is no longer practical, prompting the province to adopt a risk-based approach focused on regulated movement and disease surveillance.

The policy is outlined in Executive Order No. 091, which seeks to accelerate the recovery of the province’s hog industry by increasing its swine inventory while preventing the further spread of ASF.

Unlike the rest of Panay Island, Iloilo has not implemented a total border closure for live swine and pork products.

However, all incoming shipments must comply with documentary requirements prescribed under the provincial executive order.

These include a veterinary health certificate certifying that the hogs originated from an accredited ASF-free source.

Shipments must also have a shipping permit issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry.

A certificate of acceptance from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian and other required permits must also be secured.

Defensor said veterinary authorities verify the documents and conduct random testing on shipments entering the province to help prevent the spread of the disease.

The governor also renewed his call for backyard hog raisers to strengthen farm biosecurity through the province’s TaHuM campaign, short for Tapak, Hugas kag Matinlo nga Pagpakaon.

The campaign promotes the regular disinfection of farms, transport vehicles, and equipment.

It also encourages proper hygiene and safe feeding practices to reduce the risk of ASF transmission.

The measures are particularly important for backyard farms, which account for more than 90% of Iloilo’s swine population.

Provincial veterinary authorities continue to monitor the ASF situation and implement surveillance and biosecurity measures across affected areas.

They are also facilitating the regulated movement of hogs and pork products to support the recovery of the local swine industry.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, but it does not pose a risk to human health.