1

The Effects of African Swine Fever to the Livelihood Hog

Raisers in the Municipality of Lope de Vega, N. Samar

DEGUINIO, JUDY ANN B.

EVASCO, CLEAH GRACE LEIGH T.

LONGYAPON, ROSEMARIE T.

PIALAGO, MARK ANTHONY A.

SURIO, EDEN L.

TOBELLO, RODEL D.

A Research
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Subject of Degree
Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education
Major in Agri-fishery Arts
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES
UNIVERSITY TOWN, NORTHERN SAMAR

2021
 2

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

African swine fever (ASF) is one the most important of

all swine diseases due to its significant sanitary and

socioeconomic consequences. Infected animals show a wide

variety of clinical forms and lesions that vary in terms of

the virulence of the virus and the immunological

characteristics of the host.1

African swine fever (ASF) has reached pandemic

proportions in 2018, being now present in all continents

except for America and Oceania. The fatal viral disease was

endemic in several African countries and in the Italian island

of Sardinia, where it has remained confined for more than 30

years. The disease was detected in Eastern Europe in 2007 and

since then spread westwards, reaching the European Union in

2014. Up to 9 EU countries have so far detected ASF. Several

epidemiological scenarios are observed. There is a need to

better understand the evolution of ASF, the dynamics of the

disease in wild boar and the key for successful interventions

that have contributed to mitigating ASF impact A commercial

vaccine to control ASF is not yet available, and researchers

1
Penrith ML, Vosloo W. Review of African swine fever: transmission
spread and control. J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2009;80:58–62.
https://journals.jsava.aosis.co.za/index.php/jsava/article/view/172
 3

are under pressure to obtain cost-effective, safe and

efficient vaccines for the different epidemiological

scenarios.2

The pig (and its close relatives, boars and hogs) is the

only natural host of the double-stranded, meaning the virus

does not cause harm to humans or other animals. This does not

mean that humans and other animals cannot spread the virus as

carriers; African swine fever (ASF) is commonly carried by

arthropods, such as the soft-bodied tick, through uptake of

blood from infected pigs.

Contamination generally occurs via direct contact with

tissue and bodily fluids from infected or carrier pigs,

including discharges from the nose, mouth, urine and faeces or

infected semen. It also spreads through transport and

consumption of contaminated food products, and some cases have

originated from failure to comply with biosecurity standards

by feeding waste food to domestic pigs. Although the virus in

wild boar and hogs does not manifest any signs of the disease,

it remains highly contagious across all swine species and can

survive in pigs for long periods of time post-slaughter – even

in frozen carcasses. It is also important to note that curing

and smoking pork products does not destroy the virus.

2
Jose Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno, Alberto Laddomada and Marta Martínez
Avilés. Published on 27 January 2021 Front. Vet. Sci. doi:
10.3389/fvets.2020.632292
https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/8973/african-swine-
fever#:~:text=African%20swine%20fever%20(ASF)%20has,for%20more%20than
%2030%20years.
 4

It is vital to immediately distinguish the disease that

is infecting a herd; ASF and classical swine fever are caused

by very similar viruses which are only distinguishable by

laboratory testing. Notifying a vet as soon as any signs arise

is the best way to ensure the correct quarantine and treatment

procedures are followed – it could save the rest of your pigs.

Mortality rate in infected groups of pigs is high and

there is no vaccination proven to prevent or cure infection,

therefore, it is crucial that control begins on-farm.3

This disease only affects porcine species, both wild and

domestic, and produces a variety of clinical signs such as

fever and functional disorders of the digestive and

respiratory systems. Furthermore, a specific host will not

necessarily always play the same active role in the spread and

maintenance of ASF in a particular area.

Unlike most livestock diseases, no vaccine or specific

treatment is currently available for ASF. Therefore, disease

control is mainly based on early detection and the application

of strict sanitary and biosecurity measures. Survivor pigs can

remain persistently infected for months which may contribute

to virus transmission and thus the spread and maintenance of

the disease, thereby complicating attempts to control it.4

3
https://www.thepigsite.com/disease-guide/african-swine-fever-
asf#:~:text=The%20pig%20(and%20its%20close,to%20humans%20or%20other
%20animals.
4
Gallardo, M.C., Reoyo, A.d.l.T., Fernández-Pinero, J. et al.
African swine fever: a global view of the current challenge. Porc Health
 5

The researcher would to like to determine the effects of

African Swine Fever to the livelihood hog raisers in the

Municipality of Lope de Vega, so that the problem can be

addressed timely and properly. This study could help the

community, Barangay Officials as well as the hog raisers to be

responsible and to solve this problem.

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the effects of African

Swine Fever to the livelihood hog raisers in Municipality of

Lope de Vega, Northern Samar.

This will expect to answer the following questions:

1. What is the Profile of the respondents in terms of?

1.1 Age;

1.2 Sex;

1.3 Civil Status;

1.4 Occupation;

1.5 Years of Managing and Raising Swine; and

1.6 Monthly Income

2. What particular Barangays in Lope de Vega that are

affected by African Swine Fever?

3. How many livelihood hog raisers in Lope de Vega are

affected by African Swine Fever?

Manag 1, 21 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-015-0013-y

 6

4. How many pigs were infected by African Swine Fever on

each livelihood hog raisers in Lope de Vega?

5. What is the effect of African Swine Fever to the

livelihood hog raisers in Lope de Vega?

6. Is there a significant relationship of African Swine

Fever to the livelihood hog raisers in Lope de Vega?

Objectives of the Study

This study aimed to determine the effects of African

Swine Fever to the livelihood hog raisers in the municipality

of Lope de Vega.

Specifically, this aimed to:

1. To determine the profile of the respondents in terms

of:

1.1 Age;

1.2 Sex;

1.3 Civil Status

1.4 Occupation;

1.5 Years of Managing and Raising Swine; and

1.6 Monthly Income

2. Determine the particular Barangays in Lope de Vega

that are affected by African Swine Fever;

3. Find out how many livelihood hog raisers that are

affected by African Swine Fever in Lope de Vega;

 7

4. Find out how many pigs were infected by African Swine

Fever on each livelihood hog raisers in Lope de Vega;

5. Identify the effect of African Swine Fever to the

livelihood hog raisers in Lope de Vega; and

6. Determine the significant relationship of African

Swine Fever to the livelihood hog raisers in Lope de

Vega.

Significance of the Study

This study considers its great importance to the

following:

Backyard Hog Raiser. This study will be useful to the

backyard hog raisers to improve their awareness of the impact

or effects of African Swine Fever on their livelihood, since

they are dealing the hog raising.

Community. This study will be more relevant to the

community to spread awareness on how African Swine Fever

affects to the livelihood hog raisers.

Local Government. The findings of the study will help

local government to educate and inform backyard hog raisers

about the African Swine Fever, its impact and effects to the

livelihood.
 8

Students. The result of this study may provide ideas to

the students on the effects of African Swine Fever that will

serve them as their study.

Future Researcher. This will serve as useful guidelines

for future studies on African Swine Fever. This will also

contribute to the literature about the history of African

Swine Fever.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study determined the effects of African Swine Fever

to the livelihood hog raisers in the municipality of Lope de

Vega. Its respondents are limited only to those backyard hog

raisers who are majorly or currently affected of this

contagious viral disease of pigs affecting lots of backyard

hog raisers in the proper place of Lope de Vega.

The target of the researchers is to include all those hog

raisers in Lope De Vega who are currently affected as well as

those who are not affected only for survey.

The Barangay Bonifacio in Lope De Vega was included in

the study that is said to be one of the place that affected by

the disease. According to Dr. Jose Luis Acompanado, a

provincial veterinarian, 120 pigs have already been culled to

contain the spread of the virus.

 9

This study covers all the Barangays in Lope De Vega which

are affected by the disease. This study determined the

different Barangays in Lope de Vega that are affected by the

African Swine Fever. This includes Bonifacio, Poblacion,

Getigo, Henaronagan, Cagamisarag, San Francisco, Magsaysay,

Osmeña, Lower Caynaga, San Jose, Bayho, Cag-aguingay, and San

Miguel. However, researchers were selected only the most

affected Barangay in Lope de Vega to conduct the study.

Theoretical Framework

In the theory of FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization

of the United Nations), African Swine Fever (ASF) is an

infectious disease of domestic and wild pigs. The number of

countries or territories affected by ASF has increased in

recent years, with notifications from countries in Sub-Saharan

Africa, Europe and Asia.

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease

that affects pigs of all ages, inducing a hemorrhagic fever.

It can appear in a variety of forms ranging from peracute,

acute,

subacute, to chronic and unapparent. It is most often

recognized in the acute form with an associated lethality of

up to 100 percent.
 10

African Swine Fever is a severe threat to pig production

systems. It not only threatens food security and challenges

the livelihoods of pig producers and other actors in the

supply chain, but may also have major consequences on

international trade as a result of trade restrictions.

Feral pigs and European wild boar (Sus scrofa ferus) are

equally susceptible to ASF. Although African wild suids do not

show clinical signs of infection, they are, together with

Ornithodoros soft ticks, the natural hosts and reservoir of

the virus, while domestic pigs are accidental hosts. In

domestic pigs, ASF is transmitted mainly through direct

contact, via the oro-nasal route, through excretions from

infected pigs, or from ingestion of pork or other contaminated

products containing the virus (e.g. swill, waste, carcasses,

etc.). Further transmission pathways are indirect contact

through fomites or vector-borne transmission through bites

from infected Ornithodoros soft ticks, where present. The

disease is not a zoonosis, i.e. it does not infect humans.

FAO stated that the disease is considered endemic in sub-

Saharan Africa, the Italian Mediterranean island of Sardinia,

and parts of the Caucasus and Eastern Europe. The extremely

high potential for transboundary spread of ASF was

demonstrated by its arrival in the Caucasus in 2007 and its

progressive advance through the Russian Federation into

Eastern Europe, where it now seems established. Already

 11

endemic in some of these regions, it is gaining increased

attention from governments and international organizations. A

serious risk exists of further spread of ASF from these areas

given the extensive transboundary

movements of individuals, pork products, fomites, and infected

wild boar. Any country with a pig sector is at risk of ASF.

The backyard sector, with its low biosecurity, is particularly

vulnerable.

According to FAO, the best strategy against ASF for

countries/zones that are still free of the disease is

preventing the entry of the virus through improved border

control, proper awareness-raising, and improved biosecurity,

since there is currently no effective vaccine or treatment.

Prevention through limitation of wild boar movements is much

more challenging, so early detection is the best approach

here. For infected countries, awareness and improved

biosecurity also apply, together with quick control of

outbreaks though movement restrictions and stamping-out

policies. Given the threat the disease poses to global

agriculture and trade, ASF must be reported to the World

Organization for Animal Health (OIE).5

The Global Control of ASF Initiative establishes a theory

of change, translated into a logic framework that describes

5
Beltrán-Alcrudo, D., Arias, M., Gallardo, C., Kramer, S. & Penrith, M.L.
2017. African swine fever: detection and diagnosis – A manual for
veterinarians. FAO Animal Production and Health Manual No. 19. Rome. Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
http://www.fao.org/3/i7228e/i7228e.pdf
 12

the outputs and indicators according to the following three

objectives; (1) improve the capability of countries to control

(prevent, respond, eradicate) ASF using OIE standards and best

practices that are based on the latest science;(2) establish

an effective coordination and cooperation framework for the

global control of ASF; and (3) facilitate business continuity.6

Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 showed the paradigm. It conceptualizes the

relationship between the dependent and independent variables

used in this study.

The independent variable is African Swine Fever and the

dependent variable is the profile of livelihood hog raiser.

This study looked if there is a relationship between the

independent and dependent variables. One-way source of income

of the residents in Lope de Vega is raising swine, however,

African Swine Fever really affects their livelihood, it is

because it negatively affects their source of income and the

supply of pigs will decline.

6
Jennifer Shike (2020). Global Leaders Take Action to Keep African Swine
Fever at Bay. Published on Farm Journal, November 9, 2020.
https://www.porkbusiness.com/news/hog-production/global-leaders-take-action-
keep-african-swine-fever-bay
 13

Paradigm

Independent variable Dependent Variable

Profile of the hog

raisers in terms of:
 Age
 Sex
African Swine Fever  Civil Status
 Occupation
 Years of
Managing and
Raising Swine
 Monthly Income

Figure 1. A paradigm showing the relationship among the

variables.

Null Hypotheses

Based on the formulated specific problems and objectives

of the study, the following hypotheses were claimed:

1. African Swine Fever has no effects to the livelihood hog

raisers.

2. There is no significant relationship of African Swine

Fever to the livelihood hog raisers in Lope de Vega.

Definition of Terms

In order to have a clearer understanding of the text of

this study, some terms were herein conceptually and

operationally defined.
 14

African Swine Fever. Conceptually, it is a highly

contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic

and feral swine of all ages. In this study, African Swine

Fever is not a threat to human health and cannot be

transmitted from pigs to human. It is not a food safety issue.

But it can affect the livelihood of the people.

Hog raiser. It is a person who raised and breeds of

domestic pigs as livestock. Hog raising is a main livelihood

enterprise in the Philippines such that there is a

proliferation of backyard producers which dominates the swine

industry and a health viable commercial sector.

Livelihood. It is a means of making a living. It

encompasses people’s capabilities, assets, income and

activities required to secure the necessities of life.

Swine. A name for any of the cloven-hoofed mammals of the

family Suidae, native to the Old World.

Hog. It is usually referring to an older and bigger

domesticated pig weighing more than 54 kilograms or 120 lbs.

 15

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Conceptual Literature

Animal production is design to fit your interest and

needs. It provides you within important on how to plan a small

business. Above all, since human resources are major factors

in any business enterprise, it shows you qualities of a good

entrepreneur. It also covers the basic information you need in

raising animals such as the different breeds of farm animals

that thrive in your country; housing for their confinement;

and other needed equipment. Finally, Animal Production discuss

about the principles of the feeding farm animals; maintaining

cleanliness and sanitation of the farm; and marketing farm

animals and their by product. (Module TLE 2015)

Swine, an even- toed, hoofed mammal closely related to

peccary and hippopotamus. There are both wild and domestic

swine, all belonging to the order Artiodactyla. Wild swine are

known by a variety of names; domestic swine are commonly known

as hogs and pigs. Swine are short legged, short tailed animal

with a barrel-shaped body ranging in length from about 2 to 5

feet (0.6- 1.5 meters). The head tapers toward the snout,

which ends in the flat mobile disc. The disc is use to lift

push and flow or root in the ground. The swine large canine

teeth grow upward and outward, wearing against each other to

 16

produce a sharp cutting edge. Each of the swine feet has four

hoofed toes are located higher up on the leg. Swine can trot,

center and run as fast as the average man. (Aliwalas et. Al

2007).

Swine Raising serves as the primary source of income

(Grolier International 1992). The number of the swine raised

and the prices at which they are gold in the market vary

widely from year to year. Depending on the number factor order

or over supply of pork and the export demand. There have been

years when raisers sold their hog for less than cost of

raising them. On the other hand, some of the advantages in

holding hog production are as follows. (1) Pork provides

continuous income; (2) when hog raising is a part of farming

operation, remuneration employment is provided; (3) pork hog

can be raised profitability by farm workers; (4) since hog

raising are adapted to self-feeding and full feeding, the

amount of labor is rather low; (5) It is adapted for

diversified farming (Villanueva et. Al 1991). In addition to

this, backyard swine raising of few head hog or fattening ones

uses hard feeding as a common practice. Animals are feed with

feeds and other available in the form. Swine also threatened

along roadway and in backyard.

Bureau of Agriculture Statistics (2008), reported that as

with other domesticated farm animals, swine production in the

country is done in both backyard and commercial farm units.

 17

Based on 2001 data about 76.78% of swine are kept in the

backyard while remaining 23.22% are in commercial farms. In

recent years, backyard swine are slowly catching up with its

commercial counterpart in the terms of organization of the

data and reports.7

Research Literature

African Swine Fever (ASF)is a disease that can influence

pigs of all ages. The key clinical signs incorporate blue-

purple cyanosis of nose, ears, tail and lower legs; high

fever; and heavy discharge from eyes and nose.

According to The Pig Site, African Swine Fever is

synonymous to classical swine fever (CSF) (hog cholera). The

clinical signs and after death injuries of the two diseases

are practically undefined. ASF is brought by an exceptional

infection which is unmistakable from that of CSF and which

contaminates just local and wild pigs and an assortment of

delicate bodied ticks. The infection is native in Africa south

of the equator, in warthogs and bramble pigs, however the

contamination in them delivers no clinical disease. It

circulates among warthogs and the delicate bodied ticks which

occupy their tunnels. The ticks transmit it through all phases

7
Anonymous (2015). Thesis|PDF. Published on Scribd, page 5-7, October
16, 2015 https://www.scribd.com/doc/285285602/thesis
 18

of their life cycle and propagate it. It is likewise endemic

in the local pigs of some African nations.

The pig (and its nearby relatives, hogs and boars) is the

main regular host of the twofold stranded, Asfarviridae family

of infections, which means the infection doesn't cause harm to

people or different creatures. This doesn't imply that people

and different creatures can't spread the infection as

transporters; African swine fever (ASF) is normally conveyed

by arthropods, for example, the delicate bodied tick, through

take-up of blood from contaminated pigs.

Contamination happens by means of direct contact with

tissue and natural liquids from tainted or bearer pigs,

including releases from the nose, mouth, pee and defecation or

contaminated semen. It additionally spreads through transport

and utilization of defiled nourishment items, and a few cases

have started from inability to conform to biosecurity norms by

bolstering waste nourishment to residential pigs. It is

accepted that an exceptionally pathogenic strain of ASF was

introduces to residential pigs and, accordingly, wild hog

populaces in the port of Poti, Georgia, in 2007 when waste

nourishment from a ship beginning in South Africa was

encouraged to nearby pigs.

Despite the fact that the infection in wild pig and hogs

doesn't show any indications of the disease, it remains

profoundly infectious over all swine species and can make due
 19

in pigs for significant stretches of time post-slaughter– even

in solidified cadavers. It is likewise critical to take note

of that restoring and smoking pork items doesn't wreck the

infection.

According to Zimmer, K. (2019), the overwhelming outbreak

of the African Swine Fever, a lethal infection of pigs that

has prompted millions of pig passing’s in East Asia has

escalated the endeavors to build up an immunization rapidly,

however the infection exhibits a few difficulties that are yet

to be survived. It just intensified to what Dirk Pfeiffer, a

veterinary disease transmission specialist at the City

University of Hongkong and the United Kingdom's Veterinary

College calls the “biggest animal disease outbreak ever”

particularly when it has arrived at the nation China whom he

said to have numerous pigs. Being frantic for the antibody,

China has puta financial limit around $15 million towards

research about the infection, prodding scientists to discover

rapidly. The analysts have taken a few courses yet the

infection demonstrated that it is a test specifically with the

very idea of the infection.8

The research of Dixon, L. (2019), focused on functional

genetics of ASF Virus wherein he aimed to understand the

performance of immune evasion and pathogenesis and application

8
Zimmer, K. (2019). Scientists Race to Build Vaccine for African
Swine Fever. Retrieved last September 23, 2019 from
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www/scientist.com/news-
opinion/sccientists;race-to-build-vaccine-for-african-swine-fever-66034/amp
 20

of this knowledge for the improvement of vaccines. The large

DNA virus causes a hemorrhagic fever on pigs with a high

socio-economic result in affected countries. Lack of vaccine

has cause the choice for disease control to be limited. The

group of Dixon focused on research underpinning the

improvement of effective vaccines. Their approach has been

broad to determine order sequences of deadly and reduced or

weakened isolates to help define the molecular determinants of

hostility and identify those genes involved in evading host

defecates included proteins that inhibit host gene expression

or transcription outcome, signal molecule inductions and

stress activated reaction. Their knowledge about this has been

applied to the coherent development of candidate live reduced

ASF Virus vaccines by targeted gene deletions.9

On 9 September, the Department of Agriculture confirmed

the first ASF outbreak started on 25 July 2019 in mostly

backyard pigs; 7,952 pigs died/culled. 14 of the 20pig samples

from Rodriguez Municipality in Rizal Province, Guiguinto

Municipality in Bulacan Province and Antipolo city, Rizal,

tested positive for ASF. They suspected that the causes are

the food scraps from hotels and restaurants were fed to the

pigs, or from imported pork products.

According to the research presented by Rivas R. (2019)

the ASF is not considered as a human health threat. However,

9
Dixon, L. (2019) Cell Biology, Vaccinology, Virology. Retrieved last
September 23, 2019 from https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/users/dr-linda-dixon
 21

humans can be affected by the virus once tainted pork is

ingested or if people gets close to the infected meat.10

According to Zagro (2018) currently there is no

authorized vaccine for African Swine Fever. Prevention on

other countries depends on implementation of appropriate

import policies and biosecurity measures, to ensure that

neither infected live pigs nor pork products are introduced

into areas free from the virus of African Swine Fever. This is

composed of ensuring the proper disposal of waste food from

aircraft, ships or vehicles coming from affected countries and

policing illegal imports of live pigs and pork products from

affected countries. During outbreaks and in affected

countries, control of African Swine Fever can be unenviable

and must be adapted to the specific epidemiological

condition.11

Proper sanitary measures may be employed including early

detection and humane killing of animals (with proper disposal

of carcasses and waste); by cleansing and disinfection;

zoning/compartmentalization and movement controls;

surveillance and elaborate epidemiological investigation;

10
Rivas, R. (2019, September 9). FAST FACTS: What is African swine
fever? Retrieved from
https://www.google.com.ph/amp/s/amp.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/239708-things-
to-know-about-african-swine-fever

11
Zagro. (2018, October 3). African Swine Fever – How to prevent it from
harming your farm. Retrieved from
https://www.zagro.com/african -swine-fever-how-to- prevent-it-from-harming-
yourfarm/?
gclid=CjwKCAjw2qHsBRAGEiwAMbPoDOVSXmhb9vDOge_1ZEBcN2rc6SCEMMZK07bU8ljSsJstr
b00o2I56BoCuLgQAvD_BwE
 22

rigorous biosecurity measures on farms. Currently there is no

treatment or vaccine for African Swine Fever. Prevention is

through tight biosecurity measures. Prevention in countries

free of the disease depends on rigorous import policies,

ensuring that neither contaminated live pigs nor pork products

are introduced into areas free of ASF.

As observed in Europe and in some regions of Asia, the

transmission of ASF seems to depend largely on the wild boar

population density and their interaction with low-biosecurity

pig production systems. The good knowledge and governance of

the wild boar population and a good coordination among the

Veterinary Services, wildlife and forestry authorities are

needed to successfully prevent and control ASF. Depending on

the epidemiological condition, the engagement of the soft tick

transmitter should also be advised in the control programme.

In epidemic areas, it is difficult to get rid of the

natural source in warthogs; however, control of the soft tick

vectors is important in preventing the disease. It is also

important to ensure that meat from warthogs or infected

animals is not fed to sensitized pigs. All successful

destruction programs have involved the rapid diagnosis,

killing and disposal of all animals on infected premises,

thorough cleaning and disinfection, movement controls and

surveillance.
 23

According to Loeffen W (2018) of Wageningen University

and Research, in order to control a transmissible disease like

African swine fever at source, fast tracing of a new outbreak

is necessary. Pig farmers bear great obligation. They see

their pigs daily and will be the first to observe suspected

indication. In this point, it is essential that the right

follow-up steps are taken over quickly to affirm the disease

in the laboratory or to rule it out.12

Introduction can only be prevented by being careful with

infected animals and products from foreign counties. The

important measures for this are first, forbid imports of live

animals, meat and meat products from area where African swine

fever occurs. Also bear in mind the meat goods that are

brought in from affected regions by individuals, for example

by truck drivers on long itinerary, commuting foreign workers,

hunters hunting abroad and tourists. Secondly, prohibition on

swill feeding and being vigilant to exposing pigs and wild

boar ‘by accident' to possibly infected food products (a

salami sandwich discarded carelessly outdoors or at a petting

zoo, or wild boar with access to kitchen waste via refuse bins

or refuse heaps). Pig farmers must also be on the alert for

visitors bringing food onto their farms. Next, clean and

disinfect livestock embalmment returning from abroad. And

12
Loeffen, W. (2018). Prevention and control of African swine fever.
Retrieved from https://www.wur.nl/en/Research-Results/Research-
Institutes/Bioveterinary-Research/Animaldiseases/Virology/African-Swine-
Fever-2/Prevention-and-control.htm
 24

finally, clean and disinfect materials used when hunting in or

in the locality of infected areas.

African swine fever is currently one of the leading

threats to the pig industry in the EU. As there is no a

vaccine against ASF, biosecurity is key to forbid its

spreading between and within local pig farms. This study had

known that thirty-seven preventive measures intent at reducing

the spread of ASF among domestic pigs. These measures were

also assessed by ASF experts within the framing of the EU

scenario.

According to this expert panel, the most essential

preventive measures for commercial, non-commercial, and

outdoor farms were the individuality of animals and farm

records; social control of the ban on swill feeding; and

containment of pigs to not allow contact with pigs from other

farms, feral pigs, or wild boar or their products. In addition

to this, other preventive measures were considered relevant in

preventing ASF introduction, namely educational activity of

farmers, workers, and operators; no contact between farmers,

farm staff and external pigs; appropriate removal of

carcasses, whipping residues and food waste; proper disposal

of manure and dead animals, and abstinence from hunting

activities for a period of 48 h prior to any contact with

domestic pigs. Finally, all experts considered essential to

assist and promote the approach of veterinarians and health

 25

services to non-commercial and outdoor farms. Competent

enforcement of these measures can lead to fundamental advances

in ASF prevention and control, and possibility contributing to

the wipeout of ASF from the EU pig sector (Jurado 2018

et.al.)13

13
Jurado, Cristina, Martínez-Avilés, Marta, Torre, D. L., Ana, Silvia.
(2018, March 26). Relevant Measures to Prevent the Spread of African Swine
Fever in the European Union Domestic Pig Sector. Retrieved from
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00077/full
 26

CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY

Locale of the Study

This

study was conducted in the municipality of Lope de Vega, a 4th

class municipality in the province of Northern Samar.

Lope de Vega is a landlocked municipality in the coastal

province of Northern Samar. The municipality has a land area

of 280.00 square kilometers or 108.11 square miles which

constitutes 7.58% of Northern Samar's total area. Its

population as determined by the 2015 Census was 14,687. This

represented 2.32% of the total population of Northern Samar

province, or 0.33% of the overall population of the Eastern

Visayas region. Based on these figures, the population density

is computed at 52 inhabitants per square kilometer or 136

inhabitants per square mile.

The municipal center of Lope de Vega is situated at

approximately 12° 18’ North, 124° 38’ East, in the island of

 27

Samar. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 30.2

meters or 99.0 feet above mean sea level.

Lope de Vega has 22 barangays, these includes Bayho,

Bonifacio, Cag-aguingay, Cagamesarag, Curry, Gebonawan, Gen.

Luna, getigo, henaronagan, Lower Caynaga, Maghipid, Magsaysay,

Osmeña, Paguite, Poblacion, Roxas, Sampaguita, San Francisco,

San Jose, San Miguel, Somoroy, and Upper Caynaga.

The Respondents

There were only one groups of respondents in this study.

This group of respondents comprised the livelihood hog

raisers. The respondents supplied some information regarding

the history on African Swine Fever, how it was started and how

it affects in their livelihood.

The Variables

The variables of this study were identified as

independent variable and dependent variable. The independent

variable was identified as African Swine Fever, while

dependent variable identified as the profile of hog raiser, in

terms of age, sex, civil status, occupation, years of managing

and raising swine, and monthly income.

 28

African swine fever. It is a highly contagious

hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs, which is

responsible for serious economic and production losses. This

transboundary animal disease (TAD) can be spread by live or

dead pigs, domestic or wild, and pork products; furthermore,

transmission can also occur via contaminated feed and fomites

(non-living objects) such as shoes, clothes, vehicles, knives,

equipment etc., due to the high environmental resistance of

ASF virus.

Livelihood hog raiser. It is a person who raised and

breeds of domestic pigs as livestock. Raising pigs is a main

livelihood enterprise in the municipality of Lope de Vega such

that there is a proliferation of backyard producers which

dominates the swine industry and a health viable commercial

sector. They can be sold alive at a livestock market or

perhaps processed into pork for home use at a local livestock

slaughtering facility.

Research Design

This study involved the descriptive-correlational

research design since it is the most appropriate design to

describe the variable and to test if there is a relationship

between the independent and dependent variable.

 29

Descriptive-correlational research design according to

Good, Barr and Scates, describes what is concerned with

conditions of relationship that exist, practices that prevail,

processes that are going on, effects that are being felt or

trends that are developing. This approach goes beyond the mere

gathering and tabulation of data. It involves the

interpretation the meaning of what is being describe.

Research Instruments

The researcher structured questionnaire to be used in

gathering data. The researcher will use this instrument to

ensure that the respondents personally answered all the

queries.

Questionnaire A will deal with the profile of the

respondents, in terms of age, sex, civil status, occupation,

years of managing and raising swine, and monthly income.

Questionnaire B and Questionnaire C was intended for

researcher. This will use for researcher to gather data.

Questionnaire D was intended to the respondents. This

instrument was divided into two parts.

Part I – The effects of African Swine Fever to the

livelihood hog raisers. This part has a set of criteria for

ranking such as 1 – given most affected; 2 – second most

 30

affected; 3 – third most affected; 4 – maybe most affected;

and 5 – least affected.

Part II – General management of hog raising. This part

has a set of criteria for rating such as 5 – very much

followed; 4 – much followed; 3 – moderately followed; 2 – less

followed; and 1 – not followed.

Validation of the Research Instrument

The initial set of instrument was presented to the

researcher’s adviser, experts, and peers and revised based on

their comments and suggestions.

The instrument used was a group-made instrument by the

researchers. It was pre-tested before being implemented in the

field. The pretesting of the instrument was done in University

of Eastern Philippines, using five (5) faculty, five (5)

students, five (5) administrators, and five (5) heads of

offices at this school. An interview was also conducted to

ensure accurate answers.

The purpose of pre-testing was to determine the reaction,

comments, and suggestions on the wordings of the instrument

for a better use.

Scoring and Interpretation of Data

 31

The status profile of the Hog Raisers respondents in

terms of Age, Sex, Civil Status, Occupation, Years of Managing

and Raising Swine, and Monthly Income in the municipality of

Lope De Vega, were determined using the frequency counts, mean

and percentage. And for more interpretation of the statistical

method such as frequency and percentage distribution,

numerical schedules will be posted.

Independent Variables

Age. The ages of the respondents will be tabulated; the

mean will be computed.

Civil Status. This will be categorized into single,

married, widowed, and Separated. These will be presented with

these following codes:

Single - 1

Married - 2

Widowed - 3

Separated - 4

Frequency count and percentages will be determined.

Occupation. This will be categorized according to their

status of work.

Monthly Income. This will be categorized according to

their salary grade. Frequency count and percentages will be

computed.
 32

The data gathered from the questionnaire's result,

indicated the status of the Barangays in Lope de Vega were

affected by the African Swine Fever. The mean of the scores on

the checklist was computed an interpreted as follows:

Scale Mean Ranges Interpretation

5 4.2-5.0 Very High

4 3.4-4.1 High

3 2.6-3.3 Moderate

2 1.8-2.5 Low

1 1.0-1.7 Very Low

The respondents were asked to answer regardless of how

many livelihood hog raisers and pigs were affected by the

African Swine Fever in the different Barangay in Lope de Vega.

It was ranked by the respondents in the following manner.

Rank Mean Ranges Interpretation

1 4.2-5.0 Given Most Affected

2 3.4-4.1 Second Most Affected

3 2.6-3.3 Third Most Affected

4 1.8-2.5 Maybe Affected

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5 1.0-1.7 Least Affected

General Management of Hog Raising. This was categorized

into the following with corresponding scores and

interpretation:

Scale Mean Ranges Interpretation

Always - 5 4.2-5.0 Very Much Followed

Often - 4 3.4-4.1 Much Followed

Sometimes - 3 2.6-3.3 Moderately Followed

Seldom - 2 1.8-2.5 Less Followed

Never - 1 1.0-1.7 Not Followed

Population and Sampling Design

The population of this study was composed of livelihood

hog raisers that are affected by the African Swine Fever.

A stratified random sampling was used to generate

accurate sample represented by each respondent. The fish bowl

method was also utilized to avoid bias on the part of choosing

sample respondents to answer the survey questionnaire.

Data Gathering Procedure

 34

In gathering the data of this study, the following

procedures were observed.

Foremost, the researcher sought permission from the

President, Director, and College Dean upon recommendation of

the Graduate School Coordinator to conduct the study. The

researchers will also ask permission to the Barangay Officials

in the Municipality of Lope de Vega through a letter signed by

the adviser, professor, chairman of the department and the

dean of the college to conduct the study.

Upon approval of request to conduct the study, the

researchers will start gathering the data through distributing

the survey questionnaire along with the personal interview of

the respondents in the barangays where they gathered. And

finally, right after the data gathering, the researchers will

collect, record, tally and tabulate the data to facilitate the

statistical computation, analysis and interpretation.

Statistical Treatment of Data

This study will be tabulated and analyzed statistically

using frequency counts, percentage, ranking, and weighted

mean. To measure the relationship among variables, the study

employed descriptive and multiple regression analysis, with

the level of significance at .05.

 35

1. Frequency Counts. These were used to tabulate the data

obtained.

2. Percentage

Percentage = Frequency x 100

N
Where: % = percentage

F = frequency

N = number of respondents

3. Ranking. A descriptive measure was used to compare the

positional importance of the computed weighted mean

value.

4. Weighted Mean

Wm = ∑fx
N

Where: ∑ = summation

F = frequency

x = score/weight

N = number of respondents

5. Weighted Mean and Frequencies. These were used for the

data on the status of livelihood of the hog raisers

affected by African Swine Fever.

Where: NR = the number of responses

registered for any item in any
categories.
 36

CP = the number of corresponding

points assigned to any of the
given categories.

N = the number of respondents.

6. Multiple Regression Analysis: This was used to find out

the relationship between the independent and dependent

variables.

7. To test the difference between the variables Bonferroni

Multiple Comparisons were used. The Bonferroni correction

is a method used to counteract the problem of multiple

comparisons. It was developed and introduced by Italian

mathematician Carlo Emilio Bonferroni. The correction is

based on the idea that if an experimenter is testing a

dependent or independent hypothesis on a set of data,

then one way of maintaining the family wise error rate is

to test each individual hypothesis at a statistical

significance level of 1/n times what it would be if only

one hypothesis were tested (Wikipedia, the free

encyclopaedia 2012).