MANILA: Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee on Thursday called on government agencies to come up with concrete plans to help hog raisers and prevent a spike in pork prices due to African swine fever (ASF).
‘Ang sagot sa ASF, ‘ASF’ din. Ayuda para sa mga apektadong hog raisers; Supply ng bakuna na libre at accessible; at Full monitoring sa mga apektadong lugar (The antidote to ASF is ‘ASF’ also. Aid to affected hog raisers; Supply of free and accessible vaccines; and Full monitoring of affected areas),’ Lee said as he filed House Resolution No. 1956, seeking probe into the escalating impact of ASF in the country.
As of Aug. 8, some 22 provinces in 11 regions have logged ASF cases in the country, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
Among the provinces with the highest number of affected barangays include North Cotabato with 62, Occidental Mindoro with 57, Batangas with 38, Sultan Kudarat with 22, Quezon with 17, and La Union with 14.
Lee said government agencies, including the DA and the Philippi
ne Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), should continue to give assistance to hog raisers, safeguard their livelihood and ensure food security.
He underscored the need for a comprehensive preparation for the La Niña phenomenon to avoid supply shortage of pork and pork products for the upcoming holiday season and prevent price spikes.
‘Bukod sa ayuda, kailangan na ring ihanda at mabilis na mailatag ang mga alternative livelihood para sa kanila para may maipantustos sa pangangailangan ng pamilya (Besides assistance, alternative livelihood programs should be provided to affected hog raisers to help their families),’ he said.
With the anticipated delivery of 10,000 doses of ASF AVAC live vaccines to address the ASF spread in Batangas on Aug. 16, Lee urged the DA to also prepare contingency plans in case of delays.
Recently, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Batangas declared a state of calamity in the province due to the effects of the ASF outbreak in Calatagan, Lian, Lipa City, Lobo, Rosario, San Juan, Talisay,
and Tuy.
Under the government-controlled vaccination program, the DA allocated PHP350 million for the procurement of 600,000 doses of AVAC live vaccines.
Lee noted the importance of ramping up and intensifying biosecurity measures to contain ASF, and called for more testing to identify infected areas, including contaminated materials and livestock transport trucks.
On Wednesday, the DA said eight inspection points have been set up in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas as part of its intensified biosecurity measures against ASF and avian influenza (AI).
These are in Commonwealth, Mindanao Avenue, Tandang Sora, and Edsa Balintawak in Quezon City; Marulas and Malanday in Valenzuela City; Animal Quarantine Checkpoint in Brgy. Turbina, Calamba, Laguna; Star Tollway, Sto.Tomas in Batangas; and Alfonso Animal Quarantine Checkpoint in Brgy Amuyong, Alfonso, Cavite.
Source: Philippines News Agency