I.

Introduction

Distribution of pig production across the Philippines

In September 2019, the African Swine Fever was confirmed in the Philippines. The virus
is a large and complex DNA virus with multiple outer layers and numerous mechanisms aimed
to avoid an immune reaction in the host pig. It causes a hemorrhagic fever with high mortality
rates in domestic pigs.
According to Philippine Statistics Authority, the total pig population of the Philippines is
around 13 million head, including a 1.75 million sow population. Around 40% of this total
current population consists of smaller groups of pigs held in numerous backyard farms. In early
September 2019, three backyard farms in Rizal province reported high mortality losses and later
confirmed the diagnosis of ASF, which led to restrictions on pig movements across Central
Luzon. It was suggested that the primary cause of the outbreak in Rizal was the feeding of
contaminated waste food by-products from Manila sources to backyard pigs.
 The Department of Agriculture pointed to smuggled pork from China as the culprit
behind the outbreak of African swine fever in the Philippines. According to William Dar, illegal
shipments seized by authorities at the Port of Manila in October 2019 were a clear indication that
the virus originated from China. Also, the shipments were declared as tomato paste and
vermicelli, but discovered to be pork contaminated with ASF. These seized products were likely
dumped in Rodriguez, Rizal, where local hog raisers fed the infected meat to pigs.
Despite the fact that the virus does not harm humans, Filipino consumers are still
avoiding pork. According to Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) Executive Director,
Jayson Cainglet, the average farmgate price of pork has declined to P70-90 per kilo in October.
Also, the hog industry is claiming lost revenue of about P10 billion in just two months after the
emergence of the ASF.
The shift of consumers from pork to chicken and beef made the inflation in the National
Capital Region (NCR) increase from 0.9% in September to 1.3% in October. The retail price of
chicken in a supermarket in Makati City has gone up 7% in the last 6 weeks. Also, higher
chicken prices are expected leading to the holiday season as consumer demand shifts away from
pork. Philippine Statistics Authority chief, Dennis Mapa, said that with increased demand for
chicken, poultry raisers would be encouraged to increase production, which would give a boost
to the agricultural sector.
On the other hand, amid the african swine fever outbreak in hog farms around Luzon,
meat processors said that they will not purchase pork from domestic farmers to assure the public
about their products’ safety. The Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc or PAMPI
generally imports 95% of its pork, and buys the remaining 5% from domestic farmers. Given that
there is an ongoing outbreak, the association stated that they will switch entirely to 100%
sourcing from countries not affected by ASF. They expect to lose 40 billion pesos in sales if its
products do not regain freedom of movement in time for the year-end holidays, the peak sales
period for products like hams.
As of November 2019, there are seven provinces/cities nationwide affected by the ASF,
including 50 municipalities and 461 barangays.
II. Point of view
An ASF task force was created to prevent the spread of the disease. The task force is
chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte, with Agriculture Secretary William Dar as vice chairman
and the Department of Agriculture as the lead agency.

III. Statement of the Problem

IV. Objectives
1. To impose a more strict security on the imports of pork.
2. To conduct quarterly inspections of backyard farms if they are positive for ASF
3. To spread awareness for the safety for meat processors to buy from local farmers rather
than import.
4. To aid local farmers by educating them with the proper feeds and hygiene to prevent the
spread.
5. To spread assurance that the ASF cannot affect humans.
6. To impose a strict policy in the slaughter of all noted infected pigs.

V. SWOT Analysis
Strengths
● Breeders not importers
● Own made feeds
● Well trained through experience
● Well monitored pigs and fed

Weaknesses
● Dirty environment (pig pens)
● Feeds made from contaminated with ASF
● Lack of education on proper caring
Opportunities
● ASF does not affect humans
● Health inspections
● National zoning plan option
● Isolation from other farms
● Pork is a main source of protein

Threats
● Consumers look for another source of protein
● Meat processors prefer to import 100% from noted uncontaminated countries

VI. Alternative Courses of Action

Solution 1 Impose a stricter policy on inspections for pork imports from other countries, and
strictly ban imports from those countries infected by the African swine fever.
The country should ban importation of pork and pork-based products from countries
affected by ASF, such as Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Hong Kong,
Hungary, Laos, North Korea, Latvia, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, Poland, Romania, Russia,
Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Zambia.
The country should also implement a stricter policy on the inspection of pork imports
from countries not yet even noted as infected as a precaution. It would be best to assume that
everything from the outside is possibly contaminated for the betterment and the safety of the
country.

Advantage:
This could lessen or eradicate the possibility of the spread of ASF coming from other
countries.
Disadvantage:
 It might affect the imports of other products which would bring demise to other
businesses and the economy in general.

Solution 2 Implement an education program for the local farmers on the proper attire or
proper hygiene when encountering their produce and the correct and healthy ways in taking care
of them.
Advantage:
It would be a long-term effect for the farmers and the ones succeeding the current
farmers by passing on what they know about the pigs. It is additional knowledge for them in
what they know about taking care of the pigs through experience. It can also help in controlling
the spread even more and preventing it in the future.
Disadvantage:
The education program has no assurance in preventing and eradicating the virus. It would
only affect the cause at a minimal level

Solution 3 Establish a national zoning plan

Advantage:
It would help to lessen or even better eliminate the threat of the ASF spreading and
putting meat processors and end consumers at ease at spending for pork.
Disadvantage:
Zoning will impact not only commercial farms and backyard farms but also all sectors
including trading markets.

VII. Recommendation
 The national zoning plan would be the best solution among the three stated. It is a plan
which can be used in the long run, eradicating current issues and preventing any future issues
regarding the case at hand.

VII. Action Plan

Activities Strategies Key Person Time Frame

IX Conclusion