The Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured the public that African swine fever (ASF) cases in the Philippines remain under control, noting a significant decline in infections during what it calls the livestock sector’s annual “third quarter storm.”

DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a media interview that current ASF numbers show a marked decrease compared to last year. “Patuloy na nama-manage nang maayos at patuloy na bumababa ang kaso ng ASF,” he said.

The government continues to implement its controlled vaccination program for healthy and ASF-negative hogs, alongside strengthened border and biosecurity measures nationwide.

Data from the DA show that total ASF incidents dropped from nearly 5,000 cases last year to just 657 cases in the third quarter of 2025 — a “very significant” downtrend, according to De Mesa.

As of the Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) Nov. 18 update, only 27 barangays recorded active ASF cases by the end of October, confirming that no resurgence is taking place.

De Mesa also said the ASF cases detected in stock farms in La Loma, Quezon City remain isolated. Before lechon shops in the area reopen, he noted that lechoneros, BAI, and the Quezon City government must first execute an affidavit of undertaking to ensure compliance with safety protocols.

Fourteen lechon shops earlier received temporary closure orders after ASF traces were found in some processing facilities.