African swine fever confounds pandemic woes

Lost in the transition from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to MECQ in the NCR-Plus bubble were twin moves of the national government to address the effects of the African swine fever (ASF) that has greatly affected the supply of pork, a staple item in the Filipino family’s daily menu.

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, ASF is a viral disease affecting pigs and wild boar with up to 100 percent case fatality rate.

High ASF incidence has occurred in 37 out 81 provinces in the country covering the entire Luzon, Davao region, and the provinces of North Cotabato, Sarangani and Northern Samar, thereby impairing pork supply.

In response, an executive order imposed a 60day price ceiling on pork that ended last April 8. With the removal of price ceilings, the suggested retail price (SRP) for imported pork kasim has been set at ₱70 per kilo and for imported pork liempo at ₱350 per kilo.