The Province of Batangas has declared a state of calamity following the rapid increase in African Swine Fever (ASF) cases, which has severely affected the region known as the livestock capital of the Philippines.

"Hindi lang probinsya ng Batangas ang apektado dito, kung hindi malaking bahagi ng merkado ng bansa ay maaapektuhan dahil sa African Swine Fever," Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste said.

The Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Council recommended the declaration of a state of calamity. The Provincial Board approved the recommendation on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

"Magagamit na natin ang ating mga pondo at iba pang mga resources para tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga naapektuhan ng ASF," Leviste said.

According to initial data from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OP-VET) of Batangas, the estimated damage caused by the ASF outbreak has reached approximately P13 billion due to widespread depopulation of swine in the province.

As of the latest report, a total of 2,518 pigs have been culled, with numbers continuing to rise.

The OP-VET has not yet disclosed the exact start date of the depopulation efforts in Batangas.

The most recent local government unit to declare a state of calamity was the municipality of Lian, which made the announcement on August 9.

The local government of Lian is urging residents in ASF-free barangays to remain vigilant.

"Kung sakali po namang may mga sintomas o pagkamatay na pong nangyayari, ay mas maganda po ay ipagpaalam din po kaagad sa opisina ng agriculture sa barangay po nila," Andrei Lapitan, the ASF focal person for Lian, said.

Batangas OPVET and municipal agriculture offices continue to conduct blood sampling and RT-PCR testing in unaffected barangays and municipalities to monitor and contain the spread of ASF. 

As of this writing, ASF-positive cases have been reported in six towns and one city in Batangas.