by Jasper Marie O. Rucat
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–There had been no cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in region 10 for the past four months, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 in an episode of Talakayan sa PIA in celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolks Month.
Novie T. Suello, regulatory division of DA-10, shared that the last province infected with ASF was Camiguin, while Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental remain ASF-free.
“Kung magkompyansa ta mubalik ang African swine fever, so dapat naa ta’y sakto na biosecurity measures sa atong mga babuyan (If we get overconfident, the African swine fever may re-occur, so we must have correct biosecurity measures in our piggery),” he said.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease in pigs. Symptoms include a high fever, decreased appetite and weakness, red, blotchy skin or skin lesions, diarrhea and vomiting, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
DA has implemented a strict border control measure through Memorandum Order No. 24 Series of 2023 where necessary papers are required; otherwise, there is no transport of pigs or pork products.
Local government units (LGUs) are also encouraged to adapt the “BABay ASF Program,” where backyard farmers should have Biosecurity Level 1 farm biosecurity in compliance with minimum standards set by the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners (PCSP).
This means they should have the correct medicine, a septic tank, and a foot bath to put up a barrier against the virus. Meanwhile, LGU should designate “Barangay Bio Security Measure” and conduct regular surveillance to secure an ASF-free community.
According to Suello, based on their price monitoring, for the months of March, April, and May, there has been no increase in the prices of pork meat. Pork Kasim is still at P350, and pork liempo is at P360. (JMOR/PIA-10)
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