The Quezon City government on Monday said some 50 hogs within the one-kilometer radius of a barangay in the city, where some pigs tested positive for African Swine Flu (ASF), were culled to prevent the spread of the dreaded hog disease.
Mayor Joy Belmonte has also ordered the dismantling of illegal piggeries in the city, targeting backyard hog raisers which is considered unlawful.
Despite roars of disapproval from some backyard hog raisers, Belmonte insisted that the culling of pigs in the ASF-affected areas is the best solution to deter the spread of the disease.
Belmonte said that drastic measures are absolutely necessary in the ASF-afflicted areas whether the pigs have weak or strong strains of the swine disease.
“We cannot just allow na may virus tayo here in the city,” Belmonte said.
Belmonte also has formed teams that will strictly monitor the city’s markets to allay public fears.
To recall, the city government and other concerned agencies advised the public to only purchase pork stamped with the National Meat Inspection Service or NMIS seals as a precautionary measure.
Earlier, 14 pigs tested positive for ASF in Barangay Bagong Silangan Quezon City. (Chito Chavez)
