A total of 79 pigs were culled in Barangay Sta. Lucia in Bacon District in Sorsogon City following the detection of the African Swine Fever (ASF) in the area.
Sorsogon City has been placed under red zone due to ASF where the entry and export of hogs has been prohibited. The City Veterinary Office and Barangay Council have responded to the incident.
According to Barangay Chairperson Roy Dechavez, officials were ordered to identify backyard farms outside the 500-meter radius to be monitored. The pig depopulation within the 500-meter radius from the epicenter has been conducted as early as Wednesday this week.
However, not all hog raisers covered by depopulation will not be compensated.
“Ang mga backyard scale from 20 heads down ay kasama sa Indemnification Program ng DA at 5000 per head (The backyard scale from 20 heads down are included in the Indemnification Program of the DA at 5,000 per head),” Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Enrique Espiritu stated.
The veterinary office will continue monitoring hogs within the 10-kilometer radius for possible symptoms of ASF. – Report from Marlon Atun/PIA Sorsogon
