By BIN Staff | 09:35 PM August 14, 2025
TAGBILARAN CITY – African Swine Fever (ASF) has now spread to 35 of Bohol’s 47 towns and Tagbilaran City, threatening the province’s P4-billion backyard hog industry.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros, in a dialogue with Gov. Aris Aumentado and provincial agriculture officials, urged immediate action and tighter biosecurity, noting that an ASF vaccine tested in Vietnam showed poor results.
The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) said 134 of 244 affected barangays have been ASF-free for over 30 days, but the outbreak has already led to the culling of 10,911 hogs, affecting 2,488 households. The provincial government has paid over P7.9 million in compensation to affected raisers.
Provincial veterinarian Meydallyn Paman stressed early reporting could have limited the spread. Control measures include depopulation, checkpoints, disinfection, and ASF rapid testing.
Maribojoc and Valencia remain the hardest hit with 11 affected barangays each, followed by Catigbian (10), Lila (9), and Mabini and Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (8 each).
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