ILOILO – The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has elevated a total of 46 towns and cities in Western Visayas to “pink zone” status in its ongoing campaign to control the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), signaling steady progress in disease recovery and containment.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. It is not transmissible to humans and poses no public health risk, but it is deadly to pigs and has severe economic impacts on the swine industry.
In a memorandum dated May 5, 2025, BAI officer-in-charge Christian Daquigan announced the updated ASF zoning status based on the implementation of the national zoning and movement plan. The number of pink zone areas in Region 6 increased from 42 in January to 46, following the reclassification of four additional municipalities — Tangalan in Aklan, San Lorenzo and Sibunag in Guimaras, and Estancia in Iloilo — from red zone to pink.
Pink zones serve as buffer areas where ASF has not been detected but are adjacent to red zones or confirmed outbreak areas. These areas are subject to heightened biosecurity measures and surveillance to prevent the spread of the virus.
Here is the provincial breakdown of towns and cities under the pink zone:
* Aklan (11) – Altavas, Balete, Batan, Madalag, Makato, Malay, Malinao, Navas, Numancia, New Washington, Tangalan
* Antique (3) – Belison, Hamtic, Sibalom
* Capiz (9) – Cuartero, Dao, Dumarao, Maayon, Mambusao, Pontevedra, President Roxas, Roxas City, Sigma
* Guimaras (4) – Buenavista, Jordan, San Lorenzo, Sibunag
* Iloilo (18) – Ajuy, Banate, Batad, Barotac Viejo, Concepcion, Dingle, Dumangas, Estancia, Janiuay, Lambunao, Mina, Leganes, New Lucena, Oton, San Enrique, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga
* Iloilo City
Meanwhile, 11 towns are currently under the yellow zone or surveillance zone classification:
* Aklan (2) – Banga, Buruanga
* Antique (4) – Anini-y, Bugasong, San Jose de Buenavista, Valderrama
* Iloilo (4) – Bingawan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Tubungan
* Guimaras (1) – Nueva Valencia
A total of 22 towns remain in the red zone, where ASF is either confirmed or suspected, and where movement of live pigs, pork, and pork-derived products remains strictly prohibited:
* Aklan (4) – Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Libacao
* Capiz (8) – Dumalag, Ivisan, Panay, Panit-an, Pilar, Sapi-an, Sigma, Tapaz
* Iloilo (10) – Alimodian, Badiangan, Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, Carles, Dueñas, Maasin, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Joaquin
In contrast, seven towns in Antique—Barbaza, Caluya, Libertad, Pandan, Culasi, Sebaste, and Tibiao—are in the green zone, denoting ASF-free status and unrestricted swine movement.
Nationally, BAI data showed that as of May 5, 489 cities and municipalities have been upgraded from red to pink zone, and 94 others from pink to yellow—evidence of recovery and containment taking effect across ASF-hit areas.
The BAI reiterates that movement restrictions in red zones will remain in effect until officially lifted to avoid further outbreaks.
Symptoms of ASF include sudden death of pigs; high fever; loss of appetite; skin hemorrhages (especially on the ears and limbs); vomiting and diarrhea; and difficulty in breathing and walking.
ASF is caused by the African Swine Fever Virus, which spreads through direct contact between infected and healthy pigs; contaminated feed, clothing, vehicles, and equipment; and improper disposal of infected carcasses.
Prevention involves:
* strict quarantine and zoning measures
* proper disinfection of pig farms and transport vehicles
* avoiding swill feeding (use of food waste)
* immediate reporting of suspected cases to authorities
* banning the movement of pigs and pork products from affected areas/PN