More than 750 pig farmers in Oriental Mindoro province received government compensation totaling P37.6 million for livestock culled during an African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced.

The payments, distributed in February 2025, ranged from P5,000 to P100,000 per farmer, based on the number of pigs voluntarily culled as part of containment measures.

The funds were released through the DA’s Quick Response Fund.

African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs, has severely impacted the country’s pork industry since its first outbreak in 2019.

Specifically affected in Oriental Mindoro were the municipalities of Naujan, Victoria and Socorro.

While not harmful to humans, the disease has led to economic losses for farmers across the provinces including Mindoro island.

“This assistance will help me start a new livelihood,” said Jovy Abalos, a farmer from Bansud town, who plans to invest in alternative income sources.

Other recipients reported plans to diversify into fish farming and poultry operations.

The DA’s regional office MIMAROPA, which oversees Oriental Mindoro, said it is implementing stricter biosecurity measures to prevent further spread of the disease while supporting the recovery of Mindoro’s hog industry.

ASF has caused major disruptions to pork supply chains across Southeast Asia since 2018, leading to increased meat prices and forcing many small-scale pig farmers to abandon the industry.

The Philippines government has implemented various support programs to help affected farmers transition to alternative livelihoods while containing the disease’s spread.

File photo: courtesy of MDRRMO Victoria