DA-7 alerts LGUs as ASF gets closer to Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas has alerted local government units to be prepared for any swine mortalities in their respective areas as the African swine fever (ASF) is getting closer in the region.

DA-7 Program Coordinating Officer Gregolito Bunado also urged municipal agriculturists and officers to identify a graveyard for the culled swine within 500-meter radius to prevent the spread of the virus.

Bunado said that ASF watch should be strengthened since it will take three to five years to recover from the infection.

“Aside from the prevention measures, we also have to prepare for the worst,” said Bunado.

Among others, the measures he said include provision of disinfectants and other equipment for disposal, and massive information and education campaigns conducted province-wide.

Siquijor provincial veterinarian, Dr. Bernardita Tabada, has also reminded all LGUs and swine raisers of the province to insure their swine now that the threat of ASF is alarming.

She advised concerned LGUs and raisers to enroll their swine for insurance so that they can avail of an indemnification from the DA.

She also suggested conducting a weekly monitoring inside the grocery stores and meat outlets to check on processed meat coming from infected areas that are being sold.

Aside from the weekly monitoring, Tabada also asked the LGUs to provide them with current prices on farm gate and carcass on swine.

“We are asking LGUs to submit also the current prices of farm gate on hogs and pork meat. Also to include the inventory of swine population- backyard and commercial- for easy monitoring and availability of data on current swine heads," said Tabada in a statement.

It can be recalled that President Rodrigo Duterte declared last May 10, 2021 the country under a state of calamity due to ASF outbreak for a period of one year unless earlier lifted.

DA-7 regional director Salvador Diputado has welcomed such a declaration especially that Central Visayas remained ASF-free.

He said such a declaration will give them the leeway to use available resources and procure necessary materials and implement measures to address the spread of ASF and to enhance hog production through repopulation programs in the region. — GMR (FREEMAN)