The Provincial African Swine Fever Task Force (PASFTF) admitted last week that the viral swine disease has affected all 11 municipalities, including the towns of San Miguel and Bagamanoc where local authorities reportedly refused to have blood samples taken from their animals.
In her report during the consultative meeting last Mar. 7, 2025, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Jane Rubio identified at least 40 barangays in nine towns where blood samples taken from backyard hog farms tested positive for ASF.
These are: Baras (7) – Agban, Putsan, Genitligan, Osmena, Macutal, Rizal and Paniquihan; Bato (8) – Cabugao, Marinawa, Banawang, Mintay, Tilis, Sipi, Batalay and San Roque; Caramoran (3) – Sabangan, Baybay and Icanbato; Gigmoto (4) – District I, District II, District III and San Vicente; Pandan (3) – Pandan del Sur, Napo and Wagdas; Panganiban (2) – Burabod and Sta. Ana; San Andres (1) – Cabcab; Viga (5) – San Vicente, Tambongon, San Roque, Rizal and Quirino; and, Virac (7) – Calatagan, Cavinitan, Cabihian, San Isidro Village, Pajo Baguio, Hicming and Tubaon.
In San Miguel, the disease is reportedly affecting pigs in District II, District III and Pagsangahan while numerous deaths have been reported recently on social media in Bagamanoc, whose leadership has steadfastly refused to allow the collection of blood samples from the local pig population to confirm the presence of the disease.
It was disclosed that Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) personnel from the regional office even accompanied a team from the Provincial Veterinary Office to Bagamanoc to assist in the blood collection but were allegedly prevented from doing their task by the municipal agriculturist.
Despite the uncontrolled spread of the ASF virus, majority of the task force members thumbed down a petition for a total ban on the entry of live pigs, pork and pork products, including semen, into the province of Catanduanes for one year, as proposed by concerned citizens, livestock farmers, and stakeholders of the swing industry.
The task force agreed that it would be impractical at this time to impose a total ban as it could affect local businesses engaged in the trade of pork and pork products.
Instead, it urged municipalities and barangays to strictly regulate the entry of pigs, pork and pork products pursuant to the Babay ASF strategy and Bantay ASF ordinances.
The task force likewise called on Punong Barangays to designate their respective Barangay Biosecurity Officers or Bantay ASF focal persons.
Dr. Rubio told the PASFTF that as of last week, a total of 346 pigs have been culled or depopulated, affecting a total of 105 farmers who will have to wait for the payment of compensation now amounting to P2,644,000.
Out of the P1.6 million in calamity funds granted to the PVO, about P600,000 has been spent for the procurement of a stunning equipment for use in depopulation as well as other necessities, Dr. Rubio said in an interview with local media.