CEBU CITY, March 21 -- The top legal officer in Cebu province on Tuesday underscored the need for a collaborative effort in addressing the African swine fever (ASF) that has now stricken six localities in the province, including this capital city.

Donato Villa, provincial legal officer, said Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has welcomed the Department of Agriculture's (DA) move to support the localized protocol against ASF that has infected backyard hog raisers in Carcar City.

Villa said the province expected the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to also coordinate with the "people on the ground" to get a wider perspective on the extent of the highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and feral swine of all ages.

"Supposedl...