DA-7 heightens ASF watch down to barangay level

CEBU, Philippines — The top official of the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas has urged concerned veterinarians and stakeholders in the livestock industry in the region to help ensure that Region-7 will remain a “green zone” or free from the African Swine Fever (ASF).

DA-7 regional executive director Salvador Diputado has reiterated to the veterinarians in the region for more realistic crafting of an action plan against ASF and to collectively sustain the conduct of monitoring and surveillance activities to prevent incursion of the virus into the region.

Diputado said that there’s a lot to be done in terms of awareness campaigns, especially on biosecurity protocols down to the barangay level.

“I encourage our LGUs through our veterinarians to lobby for the crafting of a local ordinance on biosecurity protocols with inclusion of INSPIRE (Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion). We need a holistic approach for the prevention and recovery of the swine industry,” said Diputado during the recent workshop on the drafting of Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) and establishment of an Internal Command System for ASF Response.

Dr. Samuel Joseph Castro, DA-Bureau of Animal Industry national ASF focal person, commended Region 7 for its efforts and determination in preventing the entry of ASF.

Castro emphasized on rendering high regards and significance to being an ASF-free region and he encouraged everyone to be vigilant and be part in this battle, as part of the “Whole of Nation Approach.”

He said that everyone has its role from big commercial farmers to a backyard raiser, down to being a consumer as the department is trying its best to stop and prevent the ASF from spreading.

DA-7 said that an intensified monitoring of swine farms and slaughterhouses is aimed at early detection of cases and that the conduct of monitoring and surveillance is very important with the veterinarians of the local government units as lead implementer.

Dr. Daniel Ventura Jr., the regional ASF coordinator, said that the ASF-free status of the region is attributed to the proactive stance and vigilance of the LGUs who are dedicated to protect their respective jurisdiction against entry of ASF.

Ventura said that for early detection and quick response, they need real time reporting coming from the field particularly on unexplained deaths in swine populations as there is a need to intensify monitoring of hogs and pork products at the ports of entry.

He added that they have already started screening for ASF blood samples that are randomly collected from slaughterhouses through the support of veterinarians from the LGUs. — GMR (FREEMAN)