The municipalities of Badian and Alegria in Cebu have tightened measures against African swine fever (ASF) after the virus was confirmed in backyard pigs in nearby Ginatilan.
Alegria has stopped accepting live hogs and pork products from outside the municipality and will rely on local backyard raisers for its pork supply. Authorities have also coordinated with military and maritime officials to monitor possible entry points and urged residents to immediately report sick or dead pigs.
In Ginatilan, three of four samples taken from backyard pigs in Barangays Cagsing and Calabawan tested positive for ASF DNA on September 18. The two barangays were placed under quarantine, with six checkpoints established to control livestock and vehicle movement. Authorities are still investigating a possible connection to hogs from Negros Oriental, but the source of the infection has not been established.
Badian has also intensified biosecurity surveillance and movement controls across its barangays. The municipality has more than 2,000 hog raisers, most of whom operate backyard farms.
Raisers have been reminded to maintain clean pigpens, restrict access by outsiders such as buyers and feed technicians, and immediately report sick animals so livestock personnel can assess them. Despite the tighter controls, local officials said pork supply in Badian remains sufficient because most of the town’s pork comes from local raisers.
Badian had previously intercepted 104 live hogs transported from Negros on August 13. On the advice of the Cebu Provincial Veterinary Office, the animals, along with two hogs from an earlier seizure, were euthanized and buried. Authorities also reported that another planned shipment was abandoned after those involved realized they were being monitored.
The measures follow Cebu’s continuing restrictions on the movement of hogs and pork products from Negros Island and other ASF-affected areas. Governor Pamela Baricuatro’s Executive Order 44, issued on August 20, extended the province-wide prohibition and directed tighter inspections at ports, airports, wharves and other entry points.
The latest controls come as authorities work to prevent the Ginatilan cases from spreading to other parts of Cebu, where the hog industry remains an important source of livelihood and food supply.
