The Department of Agriculture (DA) is coordinating with local government units in Batangas to procure African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccines following a recent outbreak in the province.

According to the DA, the ASF may have originated from remains of infected pigs that were already buried but have resurfaced due to recent flooding caused by heavy rains. 

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. explained that the virus can persist if the infected remains are not treated with chlorine dioxide and lime.

Tiu-Laurel advised that pigs should be buried at a depth of eight to 10 feet.

The DA is also initiating an emergency procurement of lime to distribute to areas affected and is developing a distribution system for this purpose.

Tiu-Laurel said they are asking local governments to declare a state of emergency so they can proceed with the procurement process.

“Kinakausap namin ‘yung local government na magdeklara sila ng state of emergency para magawa naming yung procurement, kasi hindi makapag-emergency procurement kung walang naidedeklarang state of emergency,” Tiu-Laurel said.

The town of Lobo declared a state of calamity on August 6, 2024.