State of calamity sought in ASF-affected areas

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has urged local government units (LGUs) in Batangas affected by African swine fever (ASF) to declare a state of calamity in order to speed up government processes in addressing the problem.

In a hearing on the P200.2-billion budget for 2025 of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Tiu Laurel told lawmakers that checkpoints have been set up in affected barangays to control the movement of hogs, pork and pork products and prevent the spread of the disease.

Tiu Laurel said hog farms in Calatagan, Lian, Lobo, Rosario, San Juan and Tuy as well as in Lipa City have been reeling from the disease.

Of these LGUs, only Calatagan has so far declared a state of calamity.

“We have asked them to declare (a state of calamity) already so we can implement our QRF for indemnification to compensate for the pigs that would be slaughtered,” Tiu Laurel said, referring to the quick response fund.

He said the agency is planning to procure at least 10,000 doses of vaccine to stop the spread of ASF.

He said the outbreaks are limited to farms only, noting the virus has not spread to an entire barangay or municipality.

He said lockdowns are being implemented in hog farms only, and that movement of supplies in affected areas remains normal.