Amid the African Swine Fever (ASF) infections among animals notably in three barangays of the city, the local government is strictly implementing City Ordinance 566, which prohibits swill feeds locally known as “hinugas”.
Under the ordinance, all hog raisers in Zamboanga City are directed to avoid feeding their hogs with food scraps, kitchen refuse, “hinugas”, “kaning baboy”, “pasaw”, which may contain imported or infected animal products.
The ordinance likewise urged all food establishments, hotels, restaurants, carinderias and other similar establishments to comply with proper disposal of kitchen refuse or food leftover, and that it should not be given or sold to individuals to prevent it from being used as feeds for hogs and other animals.
Passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on July 21, 2021 and approved by Mayor Beng Climaco on July 28, of same year, Ordinance 566 seeks to prevent and control zoonotic and non-zoonotic transboundary animal diseases (TADs) with economic and public health impacts in Zamboanga City.
The edict also enjoins all fishing fleet or vessels of fish canneries located in Zamboanga City to source out provisions, such as pork and pork products, only in Zamboanga City, and not in areas with confirmed ASF and other TADs, and that proper disposal of kitchen refuse and food leftovers should be observed, and directed not to unload or allowed to be taken out of the vessels to prevent it from being used as feeds for hogs and other animals.
Mixed livestock and poultry raising is also prohibited, especially pigs and chickens or ducks, to avoid cross-infections of some viruses like influenza viruses, which can generate a highly infectious and lethal virus strain through mutation that can effect multiple species or animals, including humans.
Section 8 of the Ordinance provides for an appropriation of P30 million, from which shall be drawn the funds to assist poultry and/or livestock raisers affected with a certain infectious disease. Indemnity payments for culled animals due to ASF and other TADs are pegged at P100 per head for poultry, ₱ 2,500/head for hogs, sheep and goats, and ₱ 10,000 per head for cattle, carabao and horses. (Vic Larato)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)