ANTIQUE – Of the 47 barangays in Antique’s southern town of Hamtic, 22 had suspected cases of African Swine Fever (ASF).
“As of June 16, total mortality kang mga baboy sa banwa 1,189 kag dya may estimated value nga naga-abot sa sobra P11 milyones pesos,” Mayor Julius Ronald Pacificador said.
These hog deaths were from barangays EBJ (430), Pu-ao (116), Guintas (150), Dangcalan (80), Piapi I (70), Caridad (58), Calala (58), Linaban (56), Piapi II (40), Ingwan-Batangan (29), Funda (25), Budbudan (16), Bia-an (14), Poblacion 2 (10), Poblacion 3 (nine), Poblacion 4 (eight), Bongbingan III (seven), Igbical (six), Poblacion 5 (three), Malandog (two), Vilavert- Jimenez (one), and Poblacion (one).
Out of the 1,189 hog deaths, there were 220 sows, 34 boars, 503 fattener, and 432 piglets.
Pacificador said the local government would assist the affected hog raisers financially.
Blood specimens were collected last week by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian for confirmatory tests at the Department of Agriculture Region 6 – Bureau of Animal Industry.
“Amon kamo igapaman-an dayon pagka-abot kang resulta,” Pacificador added.
Last week, Pacificador discussed with the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian and the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist measures to be implemented in Hamtic. Executive Order 33, which prohibited the transportation, slaughter, and the sale of swine, pork, and their products in the Municipality of Hamtic, is only effective until today, June 19.
The order reads: “A ban on the transportation of swine from barangay to barangay within the municipality and from the municipality to other municipalities is hereby ordered. Transportation of healthy swine from other towns in the province to any other provinces in the region traversing the national highway of the municipality is allowed, provided that they will pass the Barangay Fabrica route.”
“The slaughter of swine and sale of pork and its products, including menus with pork content, within the municipality is hereby prohibited.”
It added: “To prevent and control the spread of the diseases, all barangays are ordered to inspect and monitor prohibited acts with the assistance of the Philippine National Police and the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, as well as the members of the Municipal African Swine Fever Task Force of Hamtic, to avoid entry and transfer of swine and pork within and outside of the barangay and municipality.”
But, based on last week’s meeting, it was agreed that preventive measures would be extended, except that they will allow the grilling, transportation, and breeding of healthy pigs within the town.
Pacificador is scheduled to issue a new executive order./PN
