GUIMARAS – The Guimaras provincial government, through its Provincial Office for Agricultural Services (POAS), has intensified its information campaign on African Swine Fever (ASF) to prevent it from spreading throughout the island.
The hog disease was first recorded in Buenavista, Guimaras, on Dec. 16, 2022, where barangays Sawang and Getulio were affected. Jordan town’s Barangay Espinosa followed on Jan. 6.
The POAS is conducting an information campaign on pump boats at the Parola Wharf in Iloilo City. Reading materials from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the DA Western Visayas Information Section were also distributed.
POAS Provincial Farmcaster and Agriculturist II Judy Balquerin led the campaign to passengers entering Guimaras Island by explaining how ASF could be transmitted, its risks, and the current orders imposed by the provincial government to control and contain its spread.
On Oct. 14, 2022, Gov. Joaquin Carlos Rahman A. Nava issued Executive Order No. 83, imposing a temporary ban on the entry of live pigs, pork, pork products, and byproducts, whether fresh, frozen, cooked, or processed, into the island.
Further, the entry of livestock carriers, poultry carriers, and hog vans is prohibited.
Balquerin encouraged residents, especially hog raisers, agricultural extension workers, and stakeholders, to report any sudden death or sickness of hogs in their areas to their Municipal Agricultural Office./PN
