South Cotabato, Philippines — The Provincial Government of South Cotabato has reported significant progress in containing the recent swine illness, with ongoing surveillance and monitoring confirming that no new hog deaths have been recorded and the situation remains strictly controlled within the initial affected area.
Following the immediate implementation of containment and biosecurity measures, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian confirmed that no hog deaths have been reported within a 5-kilometer radius of the affected area.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Byron F. Dela Cruz reported that no additional mortalities have been recorded, reflecting the effectiveness of the Provincial Government’s coordinated response.
“We want to reassure our local hog farmers and consumers that the situation is fully under control. Our field teams conducted thorough contact tracing and testing within the observation zone, and all results were clean, with zero reported mortalities. It is safe to say our containment line held strong,” Dr. Dela Cruz said.
Based on the laboratory test results, there are currently no lab-confirmed cases, and the samples have tested negative for African Swine Fever (ASF), Dr. Dela Cruz said.
Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr., on the other hand, credited the positive outcome to the prompt actions taken by the provincial veterinarian and partner agencies immediately after the incident was reported.
“Right after we identified the affected area, we immediately secured it and implemented the necessary measures to prevent the disease from spreading. Because of these efforts, no cases have been recorded in nearby communities, and the situation remains contained,” Governor Tamayo said.
Governor Tamayo also acknowledged the strong support and cooperation of partner agencies, particularly the Local Government Unit of Surallah under the leadership of Mayor Pedro “Cano” Matinong Jr., whose prompt coordination and assistance contributed significantly to the successful implementation of containment and monitoring efforts.
The encouraging results highlight the effectiveness of South Cotabato’s animal health and disease management programs, as well as the strong cooperation among local government units, including LGU Surallah, veterinary teams, partner agencies, and livestock raisers in safeguarding the province’s swine industry.
The Provincial Government continues to maintain strict monitoring and biosecurity measures to ensure the health and safety of livestock while supporting the livelihoods of local hog raisers. Authorities remain vigilant and committed to preserving the gains achieved through proactive intervention and responsible disease control.
As surveillance results continue to show no further spread of ASF, South Cotabato remains steadfast in its mission to protect its agricultural sector and strengthen food security, demonstrating the value of prompt action, community cooperation, and responsive governance.
