ILOILO – Hogs valued at P1.255 billion were decimated by the African Swine Fever (ASF) here, according to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).
As of February, 125,507 swine heads – 45 percent of the 277,421 total inventory – were culled to contain the hog disease.
In January alone,96,805 heads were culled, said Dr. Darel Tabuada, PVO head.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. With no known cure, it generally results in high mortality, making it a major crisis for the hog industry.
Here is the breakdown of hog heads lost per municipality from October 2022 to February 2023: Alimodian (10,144), Banate (10,110), Dumangas (8,995), Oton (8,578), Concepcion (7,802), Balasan (6,497), Santa Barbara (6,272), Mina (6,053), Pototan (5,130), Lambunao (4,671), Sara (4,365), Miag-ao (4,128), Dueñas (3,514), Janiuay (2,955), Tigbauan (2,334), Anilao (2,136), Zarraga (2,095), Leon (2,005), Leganes (1,943), San Enrique (1,911), Passi City (1,843), Ajuy (1,700), San Joaquin (1,643), Barotac Nuevo (1,552), Calinog (1,489), Igbaras (1,392), Guimbal (1,298), Estancia (1,286), Pavia (1,186), Carles (896), Bingawan (842), Dingle (805), Cabatuan (708), San Miguel (439), San Dionisio (423), Maasin (307), Tubungan (274), Batad (272), Badiangan (195), Lemery (181) and San Rafael (175).
The 45 percent loss in inventory included depopulated ASF-positive hogs or those near the premises, and those slaughtered, sold or had natural or suspected ASF deaths.
EFFECTS ON MARKET
Tabuada said this would cause an increase in prices in Iloilo markets.
Hog liveweight price is at P150 per kilo while pork is around P250 to P260 per kilo.
“May pagmahal kag halos maiwat na ang baboy. Ang bilin nga baboy ara na lang sa First District and Lambunao, Calinog and Bingawan,” said Tabuada.
He added they still receive reports of ASF-suspected deaths but “indi na madamo because wala naman gawa sang nagasagod sang baboy subong.”
This week, 22 towns logged cases of the hog disease.
Seventeen of these are under the red zone: Oton, San Miguel, Leganes, New Lucena, Alimodian, Santa Barbara, Mina, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Banate, Janiuay, Concepcion, Barotac Viejo, Dingle, Batad, San Dionisio, and Zarraga.
Under a red zone, the movement of live pigs, pork, pork products (fresh/frozen pork products and uncooked processed pork products, except cooked and canned processed pork products), and swine genetic materials in and out of the said municipalities is prohibited.
Five towns are under pink zones: Dueñas, Pototan, Badiangan, Estancia, and San Enrique.
FARMERS ADVISED TO VENTURE INTO POULTRY
The PVO head advised affected hog raisers to try venturing into the poultry industry, noting that the province is Avian influenza- or bird flu-free.
“Amo na ang pinaka-best option and fastest way para may supply sang protein kita,” said Tabuada./PN
