By Alfredo Cañero
BAGUIO
CITY -- The Dept. of Agriculture- Cordillera assured the public that the region
is free from African swine fever (ASF) to date. This was confirmed during the
Emerging Swine Diseases meeting Oct. 9 at the DA regional office here.
Results from the laboratory of the Bureau of Animal
Industry (BAI) also confirmed samples were taken from pigs dumped in Loakan,
Itogon, Benguet last Sept. 24, tested negative of ASF.
ASF is a fatal animal disease affecting pigs and wild boars
with up to 100% case fatality rate which is a grave threat to the Philippine
swine industry.
Data of the Philippine Statistic Authority from April to
June showed that the Cordillera swine population is about 260,000 heads and
most are backyard farming.
Dr. Karl Kigis, regional ASF focal person said that the
Department is doing its best effort and measures in prevention and control of
animal pests and disease outbreak especially no entry of ASF in the region.
“Preparedness or improved early warning detection, and
coordination needs to be in place and reviewed properly in relation to cases of
ASF from other regions,” he added.
Likewise, Dr. Delfina P. Layagan, Veterinarian IV of
BAI-National Veterinary Quarantine Services said the operation of quarantine
checkpoints is continuous to ensure that no product carrier of ASF coming from
the neighboring places will enter the region.
She added that they have requested the national office for
additional personnel to be deployed in the different quarantine checkpoint
areas of the region.
Thirteen quarantine checkpoints were positioned in
different provinces.
LGU officials present during the meeting also requested the
Police Regional Office Cordillera for additional police personnel to be
deployed in the quarantine checkpoints 24/7.
The LGUs had prepared preventive measures such as
memorandum on temporary banning of shipments of any pork products to the extent
of implementing advocacy activities like the Lechon Festival in Baguio City to
prove that local meat products are ASF free.
Indeed, preventing animal disease outbreaks is vital to the
safety and economy of the country’s food supply.
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