Cebu City Council urges stricter ASF measures

Following growing concerns over African Swine Fever (ASF), the Cebu City Council has called on the Office of the Mayor to adopt Department of Agriculture (DA) regulations restricting the entry of pork and related products into the city.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo/ FPL

Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover, chair of the council's Committee on Agriculture, raised the matter in a privilege speech, stressing that ASF remains a continuing threat to the swine industry and food security.

"ASF is still actively grappling with its spread," Alcover said, citing reports of outbreaks in several provinces. While the disease does not directly affect humans, he noted its devastating effect on hogs, resulting in reduced pork supply and higher prices.

Alcover emphasized that there is no known cure or vaccine for ASF, with culling of affected and exposed pigs remaining the primary control measure under DA guidelines. The Philippines has been battling ASF since it was first detected in 2019.