Declaring a State of Calamity Throughout the Philippines Due to the African Swine Fever Outbreak

May 10, 2021

PROCLAMATION NO. 1143

DECLARING A STATE OF CALAMITY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES DUE TO THE AFRICAN SWINE FEVER OUTBREAK

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 9296 or the "Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines," declares it a policy of the State to prevent the entry of disease-carrying animals into meat establishments, and to ensure the safety and quality of imported meat and meat products through proper preservation, inspection and documentation, for the purpose of protecting animal health and promoting the livestock industry;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of RA No. 8435, as amended, or the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997," adopts the principle of food security and provides that the State shall assure the availability, adequacy and accessibility of food supplies to all at all times;

WHEREAS, since first reported in the country in 2019, the African Swine Fever (ASF) has spread to 12 regions, 46 provinces, 493 cities and municipalities and 2,571 barangays in the country, with new cases continuously being reported despite government interventions;

WHEREAS, the ASF is responsible for the significant reduction in the country's swine population by around three (3) million hogs, resulting in more than P100 Billion in losses to the local hog sector and allied industries, and leading to increased retail prices of pork products;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to address the continued spread of ASF and its adverse impacts, to jumpstart the rehabilitation of the local hog industry, and to ensure the availability, adequacy and affordability of pork products, all for the purpose of attaining food security;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 16 of RA No. 10121 or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010," the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recommended the declaration of a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines on account of the ASF outbreak; and

WHEREAS, such declaration will, among others, afford the National Government, and local government units (LGUs), ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds, including the Quick Response Fund, in their response efforts to contain the continuing spread of the ASF and restore normalcy in ASF-affected areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby proclaim as follows:

SECTION 1. There is hereby declared a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines on account of the ASF outbreak, for a period of one (1) year beginning this date, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant.

SECTION 2. All government agencies and LGUs are enjoined to render full assistance to and cooperation with each other, and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent and appropriate measures in a timely manner to curtail the further spread of ASF, address the supply deficit in pork products, reduce retail prices, and jumpstart the rehabilitation of the local hog industry.

SECTION 3. All law enforcement agencies, with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are hereby directed to undertake all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas, as may be necessary.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-One.