Batangas declares state of calamity due to ASF

Metro Manila, Philippines — The government of Batangas has declared a state of calamity due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province.

The declaration was announced on Monday, Aug. 12.

As of Aug. 8, active cases were recorded in 32 barangays across Calatagan, Lian, Lipa City, Lobo, Rosario, San Juan, and Talisay, according to Department of Agriculture data.

But in an interview with NewsWatch Plus on Tuesday, Batangas disaster management office head Dr. Amor Calayan said ASF is present in 42 barangays across eight municipalities. Around 330 farms are seen to be affected by the disease.

“Progressively tumataaas talaga ang datos sa araw-araw,” Calayan said.

[Translation: The data is progressively rising every day.]

“Bumababa na po ang market ng ating livestock dito sa atin at marami na ring dumadaing sa nangyayari sa kanila,” she said.

[Translation: There’s a lower market supply for livestock and many producers are lamenting their situation.]

But she assured locals there were markets selling pork that have undergone inspection.

The state of calamity will allow the province to access its quick response fund to augment ASF-hit municipalities in providing financial aid to affected producers.

Calayan said Batangas has put in place preventive measures, including border controls, to avert the spread of the disease to other areas and nearby provinces.

Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the state of calamity will also help Batangas in mobilizing personnel to man borders.

She also advised those cleaning their pig farms to take a bath before and after their activities — a step seen to limit people from being virus carriers.

Batangas is among the first areas to be deployed with Vietnam’s AVAC ASF LIVE vaccines meant for grower pigs.

The vaccines are only for government controlled trials.