DINALUPIHAN, Bataan — African swine fever (ASF) has affected this only land-locked town in the province after laboratory tests showed that some hogs in four barangays were found positive of the virus.
Mayor Maria Angela Garcia announced Wednesday what she considered as bad news.
As to the cause of the virus, the mayor said “hindi pa 100 percent na na-identify pero sa meeting mukhang from swill feeding. Ibig sabihin, isang potential source ng ASF ay ang swill feeding”.
Garcia met with provincial veterinarian Alberto Venturina and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Region 3, in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
“Gusto kong ibalita ang isang nakakalungkot na balita na we have confi rmed na merong mga ASF-positive farms sa bayan ng Dinalupihan,” the mayor said.
“We are coordinating with the proper authorities and the province on how to control, maintain, contain and manage the situation. And of course, we are asking the public for their cooperation,” she added.
Garcia said Venturina will also discuss additional preventive measures against ASF with municipal agriculturists and municipal veterinarians.
A reliable source said a piggery in one of the four barangays has already depopulated its swine stock but the informant could not say how many pigs were already killed.
Dinalupihan has 46 barangays.
In the four affected barangays, there are backyard piggeries and commercial farms.
“Sobrang mabagsik ang virus na ito kaya huwag itago, dapat i-report. We have to face the situation, we cannot just leave it on the ground. We have to confront it,” Garcia said.
She assured the public that measures based on protocol were in place, checkpoints strictly implemented.
Garcia said she has asked the sangguniang bayan headed by Vice Mayor Renato Matawaran to hold special session to discuss additional measures needed. She also conferred with all barangay chairmen.
