36 Towns Affected with ASF
A total of 36 out of 47 towns and one city in the agricultural province of Bohol have already been affected by African Swine Fever (ASF) as of August 16, 2025, according to data from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV).
Officer-in-Charge of OPV, Dr. Meydallyn Paman, reported that ASF has spread widely across the province. In the 1st District, Catigbian has 17 affected barangays; Maribojoc, 7; Balilihan, 4; Baclayon, 3; Dauis, 2; while Corella, Tagbilaran City, and Calape have one barangay each affected. In the 2nd District, Ubay has 6 affected barangays; Getafe, 5; Inabanga and Carlos P. Garcia, 4 each; Bien Unido, Buenavista, and Sagbayan, 3 each; Danao and Talibon, 2 each; and Dagohoy and San Miguel, 1 each. In the 3rd District, Candijay has 12 affected barangays; Valencia, 11; Mabini, 8; Alicia, 7; Bilar, 6; Guindulman and Lila, 4 each; Anda, Sevilla, and Carmen, 3 each; Loboc and Garcia Hernandez, 2 each; while Jagna, Loay, and Pilar have 1 barangay each.
Dr. Paman disclosed that the rapid spread of the ASF virus across Bohol is mainly due to the lack of cooperation among some swine raisers and individuals, which threatens to infest all towns in the province and cripple billions of pesos worth of investment in the hog industry.
She explained that rampant slaughtering of hogs during fiestas in affected areas, late reporting of ASF cases, non-observance of biosecurity measures by raisers, purchase of piglets from infected towns because of lower prices, and hog traders’ failure to disinfect vehicles are among the practices that allow the virus to spread easily from one place to another.
According to Dr. Paman, the challenge in the field is not only the enforcement of ASF guidelines but also the uncooperative attitude of some hog raisers, traders, and individuals. She emphasized that if everyone strictly follows the protocols set by the authorities, the spread of ASF can be controlled.
Because of continued violations of the guidelines, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) will implement the amended ordinance on ASF protocols, which includes the imposition of penalty clauses.
Dr. Paman further revealed that among the 36 affected towns, some areas are still struggling with active cases while others have started to recover. At present, there are 147 barangays with active cases and 197 barangays with no virus detection.
ASF cases in the province have been classified into three categories: high, moderate, and low. In the 1st District, Catigbian and Maribojoc are classified as high, Balilihan and Loon as moderate, while Baclayon, Dauis, Corella, Calape, and Tagbilaran City are considered low. No virus has been detected in Alburquerque, Antequera, Panglao, Cortes, Sikatuna, and Tubigon. In the 2nd District, Ubay, Getafe, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, and Inabanga are classified as high, while Bien Unido, Buenavista, and Sagbayan are moderate. Dagohoy, Danao, San Miguel, and Talibon are considered low, while Clarin, Trinidad, and San Isidro remain ASF-free.
In the 3rd District, the challenge is much greater due to the number of cases. Candijay, Valencia, Mabini, Alicia, and Pilar are classified as high. Anda, Carmen, Dimiao, Guindulman, Lila, and Sevilla are considered moderate. Jagna, Loay, Loboc, Garcia Hernandez, Bilar, Batuan, and Duero are classified as low.
Dr. Paman strongly urged all swine raisers, hog traders, and individuals to strictly and consistently follow ASF protocols to protect the province’s hog industry, which remains a vital source of livelihood for many Boholanos.
By Atoy Cosap