Palace orders all gov't agencies to help control ASF

MANILA - Malacañang on Thursday ordered all executive departments, bureaus, agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, and government financial institutions to implement measures to contain and control the transmission of African swine fever (ASF) in the country.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said all government agencies are directed to "coordinate, as well as to adopt policies and institute measures to manage, contain and control the transmission" of ASF in the country.

The Executive Secretary, likewise, directed all concerned and responsible government offices to provide assistance and alternative livelihood and skills training to those affected by ASF, Panelo said.

The public is also asked to cooperate with government authorities in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

African swine fever causes hemorrhagic fever in pigs that almost always ends in death, but cannot be transmitted to humans and other animals.

An outbreak of the virus in parts of Rizal and Bulacan provinces has prompted authorities to cull around 7,000 hogs.

Pork accounts for 60 percent of meat consumption in the Philippines, the world's 8th biggest pork producer by volume, with its swine industry estimated at P260 billion, the Department of Agriculture earlier said.

Authorities suspect the swine fever cases stemmed from backyard hog raisers who feed pigs "swill", leftover food scraps from hotels and restaurants.

The agriculture department added the virus could also be traced to smuggled frozen meat and returning overseas Filipino workers who brought back infected meat products. With a report from Agence France-Presse