November 5, 2024
The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet) in Cotabato Province has confirmed a rise in African Swine Fever (ASF) cases as of November 4, 2024. This announcement highlights the ongoing spread of ASF, which poses a serious threat to the region’s swine industry.
Newly Reported ASF Cases
The newly affected areas include:
- Barangay Upper Paatan in Kabacan
- Barangay Meocan in Arakan
List of Affected Areas
The report includes a comprehensive list of municipalities and barangays within Cotabato affected by ASF. The virus continues to impact communities across three districts in the province:
First District
In Pigcawayan, the affected barangays are Malagakit, New Panay, Banucagon, Upper Baguer, and Balogo. The municipality of Midsayap also reports multiple affected barangays, including Malamote, Central Bulanan, Upper Bulanan, and others. Additionally, ASF has reached communities in Libungan, Alamada, Aleosan, and Pikit.
Second District
In the second district, Kidapawan City and several other municipalities are significantly impacted, such as Makilala, Antipas, and Arakan. Key barangays include Singao, Poblacion, and Kalaisan, among others.
Third District
The third district has also reported ASF cases in Matalam, M’lang, Tulunan, and Kabacan. Some affected barangays include Sta. Maria, Pulang Lupa, and Manubuan in M’lang; and Poblacion, Upper Paatan, and Pisan in Kabacan.
Provincial Government’s Response
Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza has reiterated her administration’s commitment to controlling the ASF outbreak under the “Serbisyong Totoo” initiative. The government is intensifying monitoring and implementing strict biosecurity measures to curb the spread of the virus across Cotabato. Farmers and swine owners are encouraged to follow government guidelines to prevent further outbreaks and safeguard the swine population.
This surge in ASF cases underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and adherence to containment protocols to protect Cotabato’s agriculture sector.
