ASF-hit regions now 15

MANILA, Philippines — A farmers’ group yesterday criticized the Department of Agriculture (DA) for being slow in adressing the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in the country, noting that the number of affected regions increased to 15 this month from seven in February.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) president Rosendo So said the private sector had offered a 10-hectare property for the establishment of a first border facility, but until now the DA has yet to initiate the process of implementing the project.

“The DA is not moving. We are really puzzled why an MOA is not being done to construct the 10-hectare first border facility,” So said, referring to a memorandum of agreement.

He warned that the disease would continue to spread unless the first border facility becomes operational.

“All shipments should undergo examination to detect possible contamination of ASF, bird flu and other diseases,” So said.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) recorded a spike in ASF cases, with regions affected by the virus increasing to 15 this month from seven in February.

Among the latest recorded cases were in Carcar, Cebu, located in Central Visayas.

Data from the BAI showed that as of March 5, the regions affected by the disease included the Cordilleras, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and Bicol in Luzon; Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas in the Visayas, and  Zamboanga peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat Sarangani and General Santos) and Caraga in Mindanao.

Aside from the National Capital Region, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao remains ASF-free, data from the BAI showed.

“The private sector is willing to lend a laboratory for 25 years that will be used in the first border control. Up to now, the DA is not moving despite the go-signal from President Marcos,” So said.

He said that due to the lack of a first border control, imported frozen meat products are not being examined for possible presence of ASF and bird flu virus.

The BAI said outbreaks were recorded in 54 provinces this month from 12 last month.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Pangasinan has banned the entry of live swine, pork, and pork-products coming from all ASF-affected areas nationwide.

Gov. Ramon Guico III signed an executive order stating the ban would remain in effect until June 30.

A similar ban issued earlier covered only live swine, pork and pork-products from the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac.

“It is necessary to amend the order to expand coverage of the temporary total ban,” Guico said.

“Pangasinan has no reported cases of ASF and the temporary total ban is necessary to prevent the virus from entering the province again,” Guico said. – Ric Sapnu