ILOILO City – To prevent the entry of the African swine fever (ASF) in Western Visayas, the Iloilo-Bacolod Association of Veterinary Sales Representatives (IBAVSR) carried out a week-long caravan in Panay Island from Feb. 8 to 12.
According to Department of Agriculture Western Visayas (DA-WV) Regulatory Division chief, Dr. Jonic Natividad, this IBAVSR-led info drive complements the agency’s efforts in promoting awareness among animal raisers to retailers, shippers or travelers, handlers, and consumers.
Underlining the group’s advocacy slogan, “Western Visayas: Hilway sa sakit kag matinlo nga karne sang baboy!” campaign posters were installed in strategic locations including ports of entry and public markets.
IBAVSR members also initiated discussions with municipal agriculturists as they rolled out the caravan at the Dumangas Port to Banate Port, Barotac Viejo Market, Culasi Port in Ajuy, Sara, Concepcion, Bancal Port in Carles, and Estancia in Iloilo Province up to the provinces of Capiz, Aklan, and Antique.
The caravan in Panay Island will culminate in towns of Alimodian, Leon, and San Miguel, Iloilo. Similar activity is set to be held on March 2 to 4 in Negros Occidental.
Transportation of live hogs, processed pork products, and food wastes from ASF hotspots including Luzon, Mindanao, and Eastern Visayas regions are banned from entering the region. This is to safeguard the P20-billion local hog industry.
“We anticipate stronger partnerships with the different sectors as we mainstream the advocacies and awareness of ASF as a dreaded hog virus. Stringent quarantine measures, disinfection, surveillance, and monitoring activities are being done now that we tie-up with the LGUs (local government units) in the implementation of ‘Bantay ASF sa Barangay,’ one of the agency’s Whole-of-Nation approaches to restore the swine industry,” added Natividad.
Alongside the ASF campaign, the Regulatory Division also tightened the stakeholders’ understanding of the Republic Act 7556 or the Feeds Act and the RA 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act.(PIA6)
