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.
In a similar campaign against ASF, ADM, through its CSR arm ADM Cares, also provided funding assistance for the program to cover the training sessions for volunteers, farmer seminars, and procurement of more than 700 Nanogold ASF Test Kits and PCR test kits.
ASF surveillance and monitoring protocols, such as the random collection of specimens from pigs for slaughter within the target barangays will help deputies keep track of the ASF movement within the affected regions.
The activity has also been possible through ADM Cares, in which its advocacy granted the fundst to PCSP possible. As a global leader in animal nutrition, ADM AN Philippines manufactures and markets mostly complete feed, aquaculture products, premixes, and other services.
With additional Reports: The Freeman, Jean Aldemer S. Salgados
Image Sources: ph.linkedin.com, pna.gov.ph, outlookindia.com
