African Swine Fever Polymerase Chain Reaction (ASF-PCR) test kits being kept in the cold storage of the Bacolod City Local Government Unit (LGU) were found to have expired on November 30, 2025.
Of the 45 test kits available at the cold storage facility, only six were of use. The test kits cost over P2.4 million, based on the LGU team that conducted an inventory.
The head of the City Veterinary Office, Dr. Maria Agueda Trinidad dela Torre, has been asked to explain and is under investigation.
“We discovered based on the documents last na it was procured November 2023. The intention of that is gamitin for testing sa ating ASF cases. We are delving on the issue ng management. Kung binili yan, it was intended to be used,” according to Atty. Mark Steven Mayo, Bacolod City LGU administrator.
Dela Torre served as the vice chairperson of the LGU Task Force ASF.
Dela Torre was assigned to procure, monitor, manage the test kits, and distribute to hog-raisr in need.
“Dapat may proper tayong procurement plan. Na kung bumili tayo ng anumang supply, mag-procure tayo ng anumang equipment, it should be backed with utilization plan, not to waste government funds,” Mayo pointed out.
The news has dismayed hog-raisers, as the ASF-PCR kits could have been used to detect ASF among their pigs.
To recall, the hog-raising industry suffered tremendously when a spike in ASF cases was recorded.
“Super hirap talaga sa nag-aalaga ng baboy. Hindi madali dahil maraming permits. Mga ahente na binibilhan namin, sa kanila kami nagbabayad. Super gastos talaga,” Ma. Elena Gado, a hog-raiser said.
“Gumastos rin kami, syempre upang hindi mahinto ang aming negosyo, upang ang mga baboy hindi maapektuhan. Naka-save sana,” Wilma Rose Gomez, another person who raises pigs for a living, said.
GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas tried to get a statement from the city veterinarian. However, she did not accommodate the news team.
The decision on her probable suspension or an administrative case will be based on her reply to a show cause order issued against her.
