African Swine Fever

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs that has significantly impacted the Philippines since its detection in 2019, leading to a decline in pig populations and economic losses. The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) has developed new technologies like TUSLOB and VIPtec to speed up ASF detection, while also launching a mobile biocontainment laboratory for rapid response. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to combat high pork prices by implementing a P20/kilo rice program and expanding efforts to vaccinate against ASF.

This is an AI-generated summary based on recent coverage.
Last updated at August 2, 2025.

Recent stories about African Swine Fever

DA to pilot cheaper pork sale at Kadiwa sites starting August

On Monday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that the department will begin a pilot program to sell cheaper pork in selected Kadiwa sites starting on August 1.
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DA cracks down on 9 unlicensed pig farms in Central Luzon

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is taking action against unlicensed livestock farms in Central Luzon that are operating without necessary permits.
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FDA, DA team up to regulate animal vaccines for ASF, AI

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agriculture are collaborating to regulate and make available animal vaccines to protect against diseases like African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza (AI), which pose a significant threat to food security.
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DA lifts pork price cap due to low compliance and ASF

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Thursday that it has lifted the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork products due to low compliance and high demand during election season, at the request of industry players who argued that production remains constrained by African Swine Fever (ASF).
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DA lifts 6-year ban on Korean heat-treated pork

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted a six-year-old ban on importing heat-treated processed pork products from South Korea, following scientific validation of its safety protocols against African swine fever (ASF).
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Philippine meat imports surge 35%, Brazil leads

Philippines' meat imports increased by over one-third to reach 237,681 metric tons in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
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DA inaugurates PHP230M animal vaccine facility in Nueva Ecija

The Department of Agriculture inaugurated a vaccine facility in Nueva Ecija aimed at immunizing animals against diseases such as bird flu, African swine fever (ASF), and foot-and-mouth disease.
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Agriculture Sec urges stakeholders to restore hog population by 2M annually until 2028

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged swine industry stakeholders on Thursday to restore the country's hog population to pre-African Swine Fever (ASF) levels, emphasizing the need for an additional two million hogs annually until 2028.
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ASF cases drop to 39 barangays in 8 regions

The number of barangays with active cases of African swine fever (ASF) decreased significantly by the end of February and further dropped to 39 from 68, as reported by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry on Tuesday.
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DA reports low SRP compliance among pork retailers in Metro Manila

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported low compliance among pork industry players with the suggested retail price (SRP) for pork in Metro Manila, a week after the scheme took effect.
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