Hog raisers in Lobo, Batangas face severe losses due to an outbreak of the African Swine Fever (ASF), with many struggling to rebuild their livelihoods.

The outbreak began in June 2024.

Neneth Ramirez has lost an estimated P1 million due to the outbreak. From a total of 140 pigs, only about 40 remain.

"Grabe, nakakalungkot pa [dahil] napakalaking halaga ang nawawala... 'yung taga-alaga ko, may pinaa-aral siya — hindi ko alam paano tutulungan sila," Ramirez said.

Michael Abenilla, a hog raiser who works at Ramirez's farm, has turned to collecting scrap metal and bottles for a living since the death of about 100 pigs on his farm.

"Delubyo ho... inabot ng sobrang kahirap, dahil iyan laang ho ang inaasahan ko sa aking mga bata na pangpasok sa aking nagka-college, ngayon wala na ho," Abenilla said.

One of the surviving pigs, named Jackie, is the last of 10 sows previously on Ramirez's farm.

Jackie tested negative for ASF, and is expected to give birth by the end of August 2024, which Abenilla hopes will help rejuvenate their piggery.

At the piggery of Illuminada Navarro, only the pens remain. She recounted the rapid loss of her pigs in June and the difficult decision to bury the carcasses in deep graves to prevent contamination. 

"Noon pong maibaon namin lahat ang aming baboy, saka po namin nagkakaiyakan mag asawa... wala po kaming alam na ikabubuhay," Navarro said.

Despite the challenges, Navarro remains hopeful for recovery and is eager to restart pig farming once conditions allow. 

HOPE FOR RECOVERY

Renato Lat, Barangay Captain of Soloc, told residents to not lose hope as the situation will pass eventually.

"Huwag silang mawawalan ng pagasa, at mayroon naman tayong gobyerno na handang tumulong sa atin, at ‘yan naman ay lilipas din ‘yan matatapos din iyan. Babawi tayo basta kung anuman ang maiitulong ng barangay, magsabi lang kayo," Lat said.

According to latest data from the local government of Lobo, over 30,000 hog raiser families have been affected by the ASF outbreak. 

Angel Romero, Municipal Information Officer of Lobo, reassured residents that local and provincial agricultural offices are actively monitoring and surveilling the situation.

"So even though meron pong nag-negative, once na matapos po ang kanilang barangay ay susubukan daw po nila bumalik to check again, at hindi na idepopulate ang farm na iyon. Hopefully may mga farms na ma-negative tayo," Romero said.

The local government is also appealing for aid from national authorities to address the economic impact on these families.

"Sa atin pong national government, sa regional, [at] sa province, kasi ito po ay [malaking] number ng hog raisers, hog growers, so ‘yung members ng family nila hindi pa kasama," Romero said.

"‘Yung everyday na panggastos nila, pangkain, ‘yung mga mage-enroll sa school, talaga pong apektado po sa nangyaring ito sa atin," Romero added.