ASF Philippines: A 92% decline in ASF cases
The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported a sharp decrease in the number of villages (also known as barangays) affected by African Swine Fever (ASF).
With the message, the Philippine authorities are expressing confidence that cases will continue to decline in 2026, aided by the rollout of government-led vaccinations.
According to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the number of ASF-affected barangays recorded in the middle of January 2026 was down to 8 (see Table). That constitutes a 92% decline from 98 affected barangays on 31 December 2025. The 8 barangays that had active ASF cases in January are located in Bicol region (north east), Central Visayas (in the heart of the archipelago) and Caraga (the northernmost tip of the southern Mindanao island).
Agriculture secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr attributed the sharp decline in ASF cases to the government’s relentless efforts and favourable weather conditions.
Since August 2024, the Philippines has officially launched a government-regulated vaccination programme for healthy, ASF-negative pigs and has maintained strict border control measures to combat the spread of the disease. In December 2025, the vaccine rollout programme covered 12 semi-commercial farms, 9 smallholder farms and 1 government-run farm in the provinces Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, Tarlac and Pampanga.
The recent ASF outbreak
It doesn’t mean the official problems are completely over. As of January 2026, the province of Southern Leyte in the heart of the archipelago reported outbreaks of ASF cases in 3 villages.
The first confirmed ASF cases there were reported in the 2nd week of January in barangay Hibod-Hibod. Towards the end of January 2026, ASF cases were also recorded in barangays Magatas and Dagsa.
Following the outbreak, the local government unit imposed quarantine and movement controls for pigs and pork, enhanced biosecurity measures, and intensified coordination with the DA to support ongoing monitoring and containment efforts.
Boosting pig production in 2026
The DA recently constructed a 3-story facility that will function as the integrated agricultural and health laboratory for the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) on the island Luzon. The construction cost PHP 99-million to build (€1.44 million).
The facility includes the Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory and the Feed Chemical Analysis Laboratory. Dr Ofelia Qarah Pacio, the DA-CAR’s chief of the integrated laboratory division, said, “Chemical feed analysis is necessary to evaluate animal feeds, including the nutritional components of high-value crops. Animal diseases such as ASF have a substantial impact on our agricultural produce and will be the top target.”
She added that the integrated laboratory services will be free for important diseases that pose economic and health hazards. “A budget allocation for 2026 has been approved and the laboratories will be receiving equipment throughout the year,” she said.
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