Department of Agriculture spokesman Noel Reyes said President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of a state of calamity due to ASF strengthened the government’s efforts to control the spread of the disease.
EVEN as the Philippines continue to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, another potential pandemic is gradually being resolved, according to the Department of Agriculture.
DA Spokesperson Noel Reyes said cases of African swine fever (ASF), which have been pinpointed as a cause of the recent shortage of meat products in the Philippines, are now on the decline.
"Ang magandang balita rito ay humuhupa na, nako-control na natin, dahil mayroon tayong 'Bantay ASF' sa mga barangay, katuwang ang mga local government units," Reyes reported during a taped interview aired on “OpinYon News Ngayon” last Wednesday (June 9).
At least three million pigs have been eliminated from the market due to ASF, which first hit hog farms in September 2019, the DA spokesperson added.
On May 11, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a "state of calamity" due to the pestilence, which had spread to 493 cities and municipalities in 12 regions in the country. (See also: Digong declares ASF- induced state of calamity )
Reyes said Duterte's declaration of a state of calamity due to ASF strengthened the government’s efforts to control the spread of the disease.
Under Proclamation No. 1143, local governments are able to use their quick response funds to try and contain the outbreak of ASF.
"Nung nag-deklara ang Presidente ng state of calamity, yung mga areas na talagang tinamaan ay makakapag-allot ng kanilang mga IRA [internal revenue allotment] o calamity funds, para kahit tinamaan talaga sila ng ASF o hindi, pwede silang maglaan ng pondo para sa pagkontrol, pag-contain, at pag-manage ng ASF [sa kanilang lugar]," he explained.
The DA has also crafted an “ASF Control Program” with the assistance of stakeholders to ensure a uniform and coordinated response in order to contain the disease, he said.
“Kung mayroon nang ASF, ibang klase po ang protocols doon; kung wala pang ASF, paiigtingin ang biosecurity measures – kinakailangan talagang bantayan ang mga pig pens para hindi talaga makapasok ang sakit.”
See the full interview on OpinYon’s Youtube channel. (ONT)
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