Palace weighs emergency declaration over ASF

MALACAÑANG said on Thursday that President Duterte will consider the proposal of lawmakers to declare a state of national emergency due to the onslaught of African Swine Fever (ASF) on the local hog industry.

“Point well taken. We welcome the suggestion. It will be considered but it has not been decided upon by the President,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said during an online press briefing on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Nancy Binay and Cynthia Villar urged President Duterte to place the entire country under a state of national emergency so the government could effectively address the impact of ASF.

The spread of the ASF in the country affected the country’s pork supply as it killed and caused the culling of thousands of hogs.

Due to the ensuing supply shortage, the price of pork in Metro Manila soared last month, causing the government to impose a price freeze.

Roque reiterated the government is trying to address the supply issue through the repopulation program of the Department of Agriculture for hog raisers, and the proposed increase in the quota for imported pork.

President Duterte has yet to decide on the recommendations to increase the minimum access volume (MAV) and at the same time reduce the tariff for imported pork.

Both measures are expected to increase the pork supply in the country.