ASF-affected barangays down to 133

MANILA, Philippines — The number of barangays that remained affected by African swine fever (ASF) has decreased to 133 from 225 preiously, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Despite the decline in the number of ASF cases and adequate supply of imported frozen pork in local markets, the BAI said the retail price of pork remained high.

As of Jan. 10, data from the BAI showed a decrease of 59 percent in the number of ASF cases recorded in eight regions, 11 provinces and 35 municipalities.

On Dec. 27, 2024, up to 11 regions, 21 provinces and 67 municipalities reported similar cases.

Among provinces, North Cotabato recorded the highest number of ASF-affected barangays with 86 followed by Kalinga with 15 and Bohol with eight.

Catanduanes and Ilocos Norte have six and five ASF-affected barangays, respectively.

Batangas, which was the ground zero of the virus, has three barangays that remain affected by ASF.

The rest are Sultan Kudarat, Southern Leyte and Zambales with three, two and one cases, respectively.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the retail price of pork continued to rise even after the holidays.

The DA said the current prices of pork belly and pork shoulder are higher compared to prices during the holidays.

Jayson Cainglet, chief of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, said that 70 percent of the country’s pork consumption is sourced from imported meat.

Cainglet said the lower tariff did not help bring down the retail price of pork.