ILOILO – The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) admitted that border checkpoints set up by local government units (LGUs) were ineffective in preventing the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Dr. Darel Tabuada, PVO head, said ASF is difficult to contain.
“Continue ang spread sang ASF sa province and kita naton nga mabudlay sia i-contain. Ang aton border control indi na gid sia amo ‘ni ka effective because sa kadamuon sang aton balantayan nga areas,” Tabuada told Panay News on Tuesday morning, Jan. 3.
He also said this measure exhausts the resources and manpower of LGUs, such as in purchasing disinfectants and the provisions for those manning the checkpoints.
As a result, the provincial government’s strategy against ASF has shifted. Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. launched minimum biosecurity measures in December of last year.
TaHuM campaign establishes the following as minimum biosecurity standards for ASF:
* Tapak – use of sanitizing footbath
* Hugas – proper washing/ cleaning practices and method
* Matinlo nga Pagpakaon – safe feeding and use of potable water compliant with regulatory requirements
Here, Tabuada encouraged backyard farmers to implement the TaHuM campaign strictly.
The PVO also recommends that checkpoints be scaled down at the barangay level, particularly in ASF-affected barangays.
Tabuada explained that once the movement of swine within the barangay or the .5-kilometer radius is contained, no border checkpoints are needed at the municipal level, where live hogs are usually intercepted.
“Kon makaya nga i-sustain sang banwa, well and good. Pero kon indi, gina-recommend na lang namon nga sa barangay level kon diin ang suspected cases and diin ang aton positive cases,” he added.
Through the PVO, the provincial government said it is still willing to provide assistance to LGUs in sustaining border checkpoints.
As of Dec. 29, 2022, there were already 62 barangays from nine towns in Iloilo with ASF infections: Oton, San Miguel, Alimodian, Leganes, Santa Barbara, Mina, New Lucena, Dumangas, and Barotac Nuevo.
Oton logged the most number of barangays affected by ASF at 31, followed by San Miguel (six), Alimodian (two), Leganes (six), Santa Barbara (seven), New Lucena (four), Mina (two), Barotac Nuevo (two), and Dumangas (two).
Below is the breakdown of barangays per town infected with ASF:
* Oton (31) – Bita Norte, Caboloan Norte, Caboloan Sur, Sta. Monica, Bita Sur, Abilay Norte, Galang, Tagbak Norte, Buray, Sta. Rita, San Antonio, Poblacion South, Pakiad, Poblacion West, Mambog, Batuan Ilaya, Sta. Clara, Sambaludan, Calam-isan, Cadinglian, Salngan, Batuan Ilaud, Botong, Pob. East, Trapiche, Tuburan, Tagbak Sur, Rizal, Abilay Sur, Pulo Maestra Vita, and Lambuyao
* San Migue (six) – San Jose, Poblacion (Brgy. 15), Sta. Cruz, Igtambo, Sta. Teresa, and Sto. Niño
* Alimodian (two) – Buhay and Coline
* Leganes (six) – MV Hechanova, Guinobatan, San Vicente, Nabitasan, Guihaman, and Lapaypon
* Santa Barbara (seven) – Balabag, San Sebastian, Tig-tig, Buyo, Café, Nasugban, and Caloboa Oeste
* New Lucena (four) – Badiang, Guinobatan, Bulolacao, and Bita-og
* Mina (two) – Janipaan East and, Badiangan
* Barotac Nuevo (two) – Cabilauan and Cruz
* Dumangas (two) – Jardin and Ermita
Aside from these, two towns from the fourth and fifth districts are currently being monitored by the PVO for suspected ASF cases./PN
