Cordillera Region remains free from African Swine Fever (ASF)

October 14, 2019 Provincial

The Department of Agriculture- Cordillera (DA-CAR) assured the public that the region is free from African swine fever (ASF) as of today (October 09, 2019). This was confirmed during the Emerging Swine Diseases Meeting this day (October 09, 2019) at the DA Conference Hall, BPI Compound, Guisad, and Baguio City.

Results from the laboratory of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) also confirmed that samples were taken from the pigs that were dumped in Loakan, Itogon, Benguet last September 24, 2019, tested negative from ASF. ASF is a fatal animal disease affecting pigs and wild boars with up to 100% case fatality rate which is a grave threat to the Philippine Swine Industry.

Data of the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) from April to June 2019 shows that the Cordillera swine population is about 260,000 heads and most are backyard farming. Dr. Karl Kigis, Regional ASF Focal Person said that the Department is doing its best effort and measures in the prevention and control of animal pests and disease outbreak especially the no entry of ASF in the region.

“Preparedness or improved early warning detection, and coordination needs to be in place and reviewed properly in relation to cases of ASF from other regions,” he added. Likewise, Dr. Delfina P. Layagan, Veterinarian IV of BAI-National Veterinary Quarantine Services (NVQS) said that the operation of quarantine checkpoints is continuous to ensure that no product carrier of ASF coming from the neighboring places will enter the region.

She added that they have requested the national office for additional personnel to be deployed in the different quarantine checkpoint areas of the region.

A total of thirteen (13) quarantine checkpoints were positioned in different provinces. LGU officials present during the meeting also requested the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) for additional police personnel to be deployed in the quarantine checkpoints 24/7.

Meanwhile, the LGUs had prepared preventive measures such as memorandum on temporary banning of shipments of any pork products to the extent of implementing advocacy activities like the Lechon festival in Baguio City to prove that local meat products are ASF free.