Central Visayas lauded for being ASF-free

CEBU, Philippines —  The Bureau of Animal Industry through its National African Swine Fever Focal Person has commended Central Visayas for being one of the few regions in the country still safe from African Swine Fever.

Dr. Samuel Joseph Castro, in a press video posted on Department of Agriculture’s website, has lauded the efforts of the agency’s regional field office as well as the Provincial Veterinary Office and the local government units for continuing their efforts to keep Central Visayas ASF-free.

The DA is currently having its Bantay ASF sa Barangay or the BABay ASF Program aims to lower down to the LGU level the preventive measures against ASF citing the crucial involvement of the LGUs in the monitoring and surveillance of possible infected livestock and pork commodities.

One of the cores of the program is the information education and communication of all stakeholders of high importance including the government implementers and the farmers.

Castro's message to the stakeholders of Central Visayas is to keep high importance of keeping the region ASF-free.

"I [do] encourage everyone to be vigilant against [the] possibility of the incursion of ASF into your region," he said.

He said that it is important to know that all farmers have a role in fighting against ASF. — Jean Aldemer S. Salgados, Silliman University intern, GMR (FREEMAN)