ILOILO – Nine municipalities in this province remain under the African Swine Fever (ASF) red zone, prompting the provincial government to tighten surveillance and biosecurity measures even as it continues to allow the entry of live swine, pork, and pork products from other areas under stringent veterinary protocols.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said Executive Order (EO) No. 091 aims to accelerate the recovery of Iloilo’s hog industry by increasing swine inventory while preventing further spread of ASF through stricter monitoring, mandatory testing, and documentary requirements for all incoming shipments.
ASF is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease that affects both domestic and wild pigs, with mortality rates in infected herds often reaching 100 percent. While devastating to the pig farming industry and pork supplies, it is completely harmless to humans.
The nine red-zone municipalities are Pototan, Dueñas, Balasan, Carles, San Dionisio, Badiangan, Maasin, Barotac Nuevo, and Mina.
Meanwhile, 19 municipalities have been downgraded from red to pink status, reflecting improving ASF conditions – Santa Barbara, San Miguel, Banate, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Concepcion, Dingle, Mina, New Lucena, Oton, Ajuy, Lambunao, Janiuay, Zarraga, Leganes, Dumangas, Estancia, San Enrique, and San Joaquin.
Provincial data also showed that 116,941 backyard farms and 10,395 semi-commercial farms have resumed hog raising, with the province now maintaining a swine inventory of 127,336 heads.
Defensor stressed that the province is allowing the movement of hogs and pork products because ASF-positive areas can no longer be completely isolated, but all movements remain subject to strict veterinary inspection and testing.
“Ngaa may nagasulod diri nga baboy even coming from positive provinces? Kay ti tanan na gid man kita positive. We use color coding because you cannot hamper the movement of food,” explained Defensor.
Unlike the rest of Panay Island, Iloilo has not imposed total border controls. However, all incoming live swine and pork products must comply with veterinary health certification, shipping permits from the Bureau of Animal Industry, certificates of acceptance from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, and other documentary requirements prescribed under the executive order.
“Dapat ang ginhalinan sang baboy may accreditation nga ASF-free kag may veterinary health certificate ka. Amo na ang gina-check nga mga papel and may random kita nga testing,” added Defensor.
The governor also renewed his appeal for backyard hog raisers to adopt stricter biosecurity practices through the province’s “TaHuM” campaign — “Tapak, Hugas kag Matinlo nga Pagpakaon” — which promotes disinfecting facilities and vehicles, proper hygiene, and safe feeding practices to minimize the risk of ASF transmission.
The ASF virus spreads rapidly through direct contact with infected fluids or tissues, ingestion of contaminated food waste or feed, and via contaminated equipment, clothing, or vehicles. It can also be spread by soft-bodied ticks.
Infected pigs typically experience high fever, loss of appetite, weakness, red/blotchy skin, diarrhea, and respiratory distress, often leading to sudden death./PN
