Socio-Economic Impact of African Swine Fever Outbreak on Backyard Hog Raisers in an Urbanizing Municipality

This study examined the socio-economic impact of ASF outbreak on hog raisers in an urbanizing municipality. Using mixed method design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches to obtain deeper understanding of the occurrence the research was guided by Social Disruption Theory. Quantitative data were gathered through structured questionnaires to measure the extent of socio-economic impact on hog raisers and was administered to 160 hog raisers in barangays of Kalibo. The qualitative data were obtained through interviews to capture the live experiences and challenges encountered and coping mechanisms employed by the affected hog raisers and it was administered to 10 participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and eta correlation. Findings showed that the extent of social and economic cause extensive impact on hog raisers which cause loss of livelihood, financial strain and psychological stress. There is no significant relationship in social and economic impact when grouped by educational attainment, years engaged in hog raising, and number of hog raised before ASF outbreak while barangay residence has significant relationship to social and economic impact. Qualitative data from the interviews also supported the quantitative findings, indicating that those families affected by ASF are still facing recovery difficulties. The study highlighted the need for strengthened interventions by local governments, additional financial aid programs, and improved biosecurity measures to assist with recovery and increased resiliency in the local hog industry.