Sixteen hogs confirmed positive for African Swine Fever (ASF) in Lobo, Batangas were buried on August 27, 2024 by local hog raisers.

This follows the burial of over 50 additional hogs, including piglets and a sow, to control the spread of the disease.

The hogs were buried in Purok 3 and 4 of Barangay Lagadlarin, Lobo, Batangas.

Berlin Dueñas, a local hog raiser, was among those who buried the animals.

"Binisita muna pati hukay, pati ‘yung mga baboy. Si Dra. Andaya, saka ‘yung BHAW dito sa aming barrio," Dueñas said.

According to Dueñas, the municipal agriculturist authorized the burial of the remaining hogs after they tested positive for ASF.

"Biyernes noong nakaraang linggo nang i-swab ng municipal agriculturist ang kaniyang mga alaga, at Sabado ng umaga nang matagpuan niyang wala nang buhay ang iba," he said.

He then decided to report the incident to the authorities.

DA RESPONSE

Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, spokesperson of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said only those areas with active ASF cases are incentivized when surrendering ASF-positive hogs.

"’Yung indemnification ay doon sa mga lugar na napatunayan na mayroong sakit na ASF," De Mesa said.

Before indemnification, authorities will conduct a "test and destroy" process to confirm ASF infection before depopulating affected farms.

The priority is to support backyard farms like those of Berlin.

"Per head daw kapag piglets ay P4,000, ang medium size daw, P8,000 kapag inahin, P12,000 per head. Araw-araw ay may namamatay," Dueñas said.

As of this writing, many hog raisers, including Dueñas, are uncertain about how to move forward.

"Hindi ko pa kaya ma’am, dahil ubos ang puhunan, may eskwela ako. Saan ako kukuha? Wala naman akong ibang source of income," Dueñas said.

According to latest data from the Batangas Provincial Veterinary Office, ASF continues to affect 66 barangays across 11 towns and one city in the province.