ASF CHECKPOINT. Village watchmen stand guard at a quarantine checkpoint to contain the spread of the African swine fever in Zamboanga City in this undated photo. On Friday (July 22, 2022), the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council passed a resolution recommending to place the city under a state of calamity due to the spread of the hog disease. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga City-PIO)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) has recommended to place this city under a state of calamity due to the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
The CDRRMC, chaired by Mayor John Dalipe, approved a resolution in a meeting Friday afternoon to address the problem that has already affected six of seven veterinary districts as of Thursday.
The CDRRMC resolution will be forwarded to the City Council for approval during its regular session on Tuesday next week.
Dr. Mario Arriola, Office of the City Veterinarian chief, said in a statement Saturday that the declaration of state of calamity will enable the use of funds at the village level to capacitate the city government to fight ASF.
During the meeting, Arriola reported that ASF infections continue to soar, despite concerted and coordinated efforts to contain the animal disease.
Arriola said the ASF has already affected 733 hog raisers since the city was classified as red zone May 23.
Hog mortalities soared to 2,775 as 746 pigs were culled due to ASF infection that has spread in 15 of the city’s 98 villages. (PNA)
