The municipality of San Jose in Occidental Mindoro has declared a state of calamity on Tuesday due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF).

The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) unanimously approved the recommendation during its 28th Regular Session, following a joint resolution by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) and the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council (MAFC).

Municipal Agriculturist Romel B. Calingasan, who serves as the Incident Commander for ASF response, reported that estimated losses have reached PhP31,382,000 from pig deaths and depopulation efforts.

The outbreak has affected 13 barangays and 156 hog raisers in San Jose. 

Authorities continue to depopulate pigs within a 500-meter radius of confirmed ASF cases.

The council also approved a P2,500,000-peso augmentation to the local government’s Quick Response Fund. 

Marie Joy C. Domingo of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said the funds will support ongoing disinfection, depopulation, and logistical efforts to control the spread of ASF.

The declaration of a state of calamity allows the local government to access emergency funds and implement measures to address the ASF outbreak more effectively.

Meanwhile, the municipal veterinarian of San Jose has clarified policies on ASF depopulation efforts amid growing concerns from town pig farmers.

Dr. Novammari R. Valdez outlined key points in a statement released Wednesday:

Backyard raisers affected by depopulation may receive up to P5,000 pesos per pig from the Department of Agriculture (DA), with a 20-head limit. This excludes pigs that died naturally before depopulation.

Depopulation may extend beyond the initial 500-meter (1,640-foot) radius in barangays with confirmed cases, including adjacent areas without confirmed infections.

Slaughtering and selling pigs are banned in infected areas not yet reached by depopulation teams.

Pork imports from ASF-free zones are permitted with proper certification from origin.

Residents are urged to purchase only inspected pork from certified vendors.

The clarification comes as San Jose deals with significant economic losses due to the ASF outbreak. 

The measures aim to control the spread of ASF, which poses no risk to human health but is fatal to pigs.