The Municipal Agricultural Office has recommended declaring a state of calamity in Ubay town after African swine fever infected three villages, officials said Tuesday.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office approved the measure, which now awaits final approval from the town council.
Municipal agriculturist Marianito Doydora said a state of calamity can be declared when two or more villages are affected by the disease. The virus has been confirmed in the villages of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Bulilis.
The declaration would allow the local government to access emergency funds and deploy personnel to contain the outbreak.
Officials urged residents to cooperate with containment efforts, saying government action alone cannot stop the virus from spreading.
African swine fever is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs.
While not harmful to humans, it can devastate pig populations and local economies dependent on pork production.