No ASF cases yet, but Bacolod is preparing

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city government here has reactivated its African swine fever task force for heightened vigilance and monitoring, even as it has not received any report of an ASF case.

Mayor Greg Gasataya issued Executive Order No. 043 on Tuesday, June 23, reconstituting the task force to strengthen surveillance and biosecurity measures to safeguard the local swine industry.

The order is pursuant to guidance from the Department of Agriculture through its issuances and the National ASF Prevention and Control Program, which directs local government units to implement surveillance, quarantine, movement control, and biosecurity measures to prevent and contain the spread of ASF.

The executive order said ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, causing severe economic losses to the swine industry, although it poses no risk to human health.

Gasataya stressed the need to reinforce city mechanisms on inspection, quarantine, transport regulation, and border control to prevent the entry and movement of ASF-infected hogs, pork, pork products, and related commodities into the city.

The task force, chaired by Gasataya, is directed to formulate a contingency plan for ASF prevention and control measures in the city.

It is also tasked to conduct a massive information and awareness campaign for all stakeholders on ASF outbreaks and the interventions needed to reduce their expected adverse impact on the city.

The task force is directed to investigate and institute control protocols in areas suspected of having ASF.

It was also tasked to ensure the implementation of ASF prevention and control measures and quarantine protocols.

The task force will also enforce stringent import policies and border controls to prevent the entry of infected live pigs or pork products into Bacolod City.

It shall also perform other functions necessary for the full and proper implementation of ASF prevention and control protocols within the city.

The task force shall submit a regular monthly report to the mayor on the status of its activities.

In a recent media interview, Gasataya said the City Veterinary Office is looking into reports related to ASF, in coordination with the City Agriculture Office.

“Hopefully, we will not receive any report,” he added.

Gasataya assured the public that the city is ready to provide assistance, as proper agencies have measures in place to address the threat.

“Let’s just cross the bridge when we get there. We don’t want to create a scenario that would cause the public to panic,” he said.

In June 2025, Bacolod was declared free from ASF after complying with national ASF recovery protocols.

Measures taken in February 2024 included the controlled movement of pork and swine products to prevent food shortages while still adhering to updated DA protocols against ASF.

The renewed vigilance comes after San Enrique, Negros Occidental, confirmed ASF cases that resulted in the deaths of more than 500 pigs, according to Mayor Jilson Tubillara.

Tubillara said laboratory test results released Monday confirmed ASF infections in all 10 barangays of San Enrique, prompting the local government to intensify biosecurity measures.