SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) -- The Municipality of Hamtic was declared under a State of Calamity (SOC) due to the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) hitting more than 2,000 swine population in the area.
By virtue of Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 055-2023 dated June 22, 2023, the SOC was in effect thus, the Automatic Price Ceiling (APC) for basic necessities is imposed for a period of 60 days after publication under the provision of Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act of the Philippines.
Arnel Oliveros of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Antique said that basic necessities under the jurisdiction of DTI include canned sardines, processed milk, coffee, detergent/laundry soap, candles, salt, bread, bottled water and instant noodles.
The imposed APC was based on the prevailing prices of commodities monitored prior to the declaration of the state of calamity.
“Daily monitoring will be conducted to ensure compliance of retailers and safeguard the welfare of consumers,” Oliveros said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Marco Rafael Ardamil of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (ProVet), in his report during the meeting
of the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Council said that a total of 2,051 swine deaths were reported as of June 24, 2023, affecting about 400 swine raisers.
ProVet data showed that out of 44 barangays in Hamtic, 28 were noted to have ASF cases.
The Municipal Agriculture Office, ProVet, and other concerned agencies have already undertaken the necessary procedures in compliance with the protocol for the management of ASF cases to prevent the spread of the virus.
Ardamil cited that as of June 24 report, Swine Inventory for Antique summed up to 76,384 or about 7.67 percent of the total inventory for Western Visayas which is 996,529 heads.
ProVet also reported that Region 6 has a pork sufficiency level of 292.14 as of the first quarter of 2023. (AGP/PSM/PIA Antique)
