MAASIN CITY (PIA) -  The latest reported incident of an African Swine Fever (ASF) case that occurred in the province was in August, since the infestation began in March, 2021, according to Dr. Francisco Cabarrubias, provincial veterinarian.

Within that span of time, a duration of 17 months, 12 municipalities and one city were affected involving 74 barangays, with 2,500 heads of pigs deliberately culled as a preventive measure to prevent further spread, the hogs owned by a total of 511 growers.

In a report during the 3rd Quarter Meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on Thursday, Sept. 22, at the old DPWH building function hall, Cabarrubias identified the affected local government units (LGUs).

These included Silago, Libagon, Saint Bernard, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Sogod, Bontoc, Tomas Oppus, Maasin City, Macrohon, and Hinundayan.

Based on the update, municipalities with no reported ASF case were Padre Burgos, Malitbog, Hinunangan, Anahawan, San Juan, and Limasawa.

Cabarrubias also shared that the City of Maasin had set aside P3 million as indemnification fund, while for the province the amount was P6 million, and these were already given to the affected hog growers.

For those who wished to raise swine again, Cabarrubias advised that they should insure it with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).  (LDL/MMP/PIA Southern Leyte)