July 28, 2026
 

ASF outbreaks reported across Philippines' Visayas and Mindanao as Iloilo maintains nine red zone municipalities

Separate incidents in Cebu City, Iloilo province and Lamitan City, Basilan highlight the continued spread of African swine fever across multiple Philippine island groups in July 2026.

African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed in multiple locations across the Philippines' Visayas and Mindanao regions in July 2026, with active cases reported in Cebu City, nine municipalities in Iloilo province, and Lamitan City in Basilan, where an outbreak affecting 284 pigs across 113 hog raisers has been traced to Zamboanga City.

In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed on 27 July that 20 pigs in a southern barangay tested positive for ASF, prompting immediate culling, burial and quarantine measures. Archival said the outbreak has since been contained and the city declared ASF-free again. An executive order signed on 10 July, prohibiting the entry and transport of live pigs and pork products into and out of Cebu City, remains in effect. The affected hog raiser sustained an estimated PHP300,000 in losses and received government financial assistance.

In Iloilo province, nine municipalities remain classified as ASF red zones as of July 2026, with 19 others under pink zone status, according to the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian. The province's swine inventory stands at 127,336 head, of which more than 90% are from backyard farms. Farmgate prices for live hogs range from PHP130 to PHP180 per kilogram, with retail pork at PHP195 to PHP350 per kilogram. Unlike other parts of Panay Island, Iloilo has not imposed a total border closure, instead adopting a risk-based approach under Executive Order No. 091 that permits regulated movement of live hogs and pork products subject to veterinary inspection, health certification and Bureau of Animal Industry shipping permits.

In Mindanao, Lamitan City veterinarian Dr Bryan Azute confirmed that ASF has killed 284 hogs across 113 raisers in Lamitan City, Basilan, with laboratory results confirming positive blood samples from several barangays. Epidemiological investigations indicate the disease originated in Zamboanga City, where a hog raiser in Barangay Calugusan was allegedly involved in trading swine from the affected area. Zamboanga City has since strengthened border controls. Authorities in Lamitan are urging raisers to report sick or dead animals immediately and to refrain from transporting livestock without proper authorisation.