State of calamity declared in Davao Occidental due to ASF

A state of calamity has been declared in Davao Occidental after the death toll of hogs in the municipality of Don Marcelino climbed to around 5,000 due to African Swine Fever (ASF).

ASF has also affected 15 barangays in Malita and Jose Abad Santos, according to a Thursday report by Tek Ocampo of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao on GMA News' Balitanghali.

Due to this, the culling of hogs in the area began on Thursday.

According to the report, the provincial government aims to contain the ASF within the province.

It originated in Barangay Lapuan, where 80% of the 900 pigs in the area have died, officials said.

"Pag-tataka ko lang, bakit kami, andoon kami sa bukid, very remote area, eh, bakit nandoon ang ASF sa amin," Lapuan Barangay Captain Medeline Mallari said.

Authorities are still investigating how ASF entered the province.

"[B]aka may swill feeding na galing sa barko from Indonesia. 'Yun ang tinitignan namin na angulo," Agriculture Region II Director Ricardo Onate, Jr. said.

In Davao City, officials are strictly prohibiting the entry of live pig products and pork products from Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental.

Due to this, the local government advised its residents to buy pork from Davao City and to refrain from feeding their hogs food waste. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News