MANILA – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the country under a “state of calamity” for one year in response to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), reported the Xinhua news agency.
“The country will be under a state of calamity for a year, unless lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque was quoted as telling a televised press conference.
The proclamation signed by Duterte demands that all government agencies and local government units mobilise the necessary resources to “curtail the further spread of ASF, address the supply deficit in pork products, reduce retail prices, and jump-start the rehabilitation of the local hog industry”.
ASF continues to ravage the industry in the Philippines since the outbreak was declared in 2019.
“New cases are continuously being reported despite government interventions,” said the proclamation.
The Philippine government said the disease has spread to 12 of the country’s 17 regions.
It said ASF has “significantly reduced” the swine population by about three million animals, resulting in some US$2.1 billion in losses to the local hog industry and related sectors.
“There is an urgent need to address the continued spread of ASF and its adverse impact on the local hog industry, (and) ensure food security,” said the proclamation.
The situation has led to pricier pork products in the Philippines, prompting the government to increase imports this year. – Bernama, May 11, 2021
