NORTHERN Mindanao agriculture department (DA-10) appealed to residents to help the region’s multi-billion peso swine industry particularly in Bukidnon free from the highly-contagious African Swine Fever (ASF).
Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado even called on consumers and even travelers to avoid bringing in the region pork and pork by-products from other places reportedly having the ASF virus.
Collado made his appeal during the emergency meeting on ASF Situation in Region 10 on August 10 in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.
“Prepare and impose measures to contain the spread of said disease, and find ways to prevent its entry particularly in Bukidnon,” Collado stressed.
Monitoring and surveillance on processed meat especially on online sellers have been intensified in ensuring food safety of the consumers, wherein, violators will be penalized under the Food Safety Act.
Reportedly, Arakan Valley in Cotabato has confirmed positive cases of ASF, wherein its boundary is between Davao City, North Cotabato and Bukidnon, particularly, Kitaotao.
Similarly, Talaingod, Davao del Norte has reported positive ASF cases with San Fernando, Bukidnon as its boundary.
The emergency meeting called for DA-10 and concerned agencies, including the local government units and stakeholders to come up with measures against ASF.
“Harmonize and align all our efforts from the LGUs, national government agencies, private sectors, and other stakeholders,” said DA-10 regional technical director for operations Carlota S. Madriaga.
“It is essential to heighten the alert status on ASF control and protection in all borders of Region 10,” said Madriaga.
In ensuring border protection in Bukidnon, the group has recommended establishing an additional two ASF checkpoints in barangays Kabalantian and Porchaco Kwatro in Kalilangan town with PNP personnel.
Barangay Kabalantian is the entry to Arakan Valley while Porchaco Kwatro is the entry to Wao, Lanao del Sur.
DA-10 through its Regulatory and Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions are in completion of the geo-mapping activity which is necessary to come up with more comprehensive zoning up to the barangay levels.
The Livestock Program of the agency has procured disinfectants and other medical supplies ready for distribution to the LGUs.
NORMINHOG’s logistics support has been in place in assisting the LGUs also.
The Regional ASF Inter-agency Task Force in Northern Mindanao has intensified its information, education, and communication campaigns down to barangay levels in solidifying its efforts on the prevention and control of ASF. (Angie Cabig/DA-10)
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