Southern Luzon’s first ASF biosecurity model takes shape in Mulanay

By Rowena T. Cruz Mulanay hog raisers map possible ASF transmission routes during the Biosecurity Champions Training. (Quezon PIO) M...

By Rowena T. Cruz

Mulanay hog raisers map possible ASF transmission routes during the Biosecurity Champions Training. (Quezon PIO)

MULANAY, Quezon — Sixty small-scale hog raisers are taking part in a community-based effort against African Swine Fever as Mulanay becomes the first CABI project site in Southern Luzon and CALABARZON. The farmers underwent Biosecurity Champions Training on August 25 and 26 covering ASF transmission, sanitation and farm practices, while also receiving materials for pigpen improvements and the construction or rehabilitation of septic tanks.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian is implementing the project with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Mulanay’s Office of the Municipal Agriculturist. Before the farmer training, barangay biosecurity officers and municipal and provincial agriculture and veterinary personnel attended CABI Implementers Training from April 14 to 17 in Catanauan under Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Flomella Caguicla.

Mulanay is the fourth Philippine location selected for the Community ASF Biosecurity Intervention, following earlier projects in North Cotabato, Ilocos Norte and Bais City. The local project began in June 2026 and is scheduled to continue through January 2027 as participating farmers put the prescribed biosecurity measures into practice.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs and can cause high mortality among infected animals, although it does not pose a health risk to humans. The virus can spread through infected pigs and contaminated feed, pork products, equipment, footwear, clothing and vehicles moving between farms or animal-raising areas.

For backyard and small-scale raisers, an ASF outbreak can result in animal losses, compulsory culling and interruptions in income from hog production. The Mulanay intervention addresses those risks through sanitation, improved farm management and routine biosecurity measures intended to reduce the chances of infection reaching local pig-raising areas.