THE AFRICAN Swine Fever (ASF) is having a resurgence in parts of the Philippines. Iloilo’s aggressive biosecurity measures offer a lesson in agricultural defense. The recent ramp-up in these measures by the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is a preventive strategy designed to shield both the local economy and the livelihoods dependent on it.
Iloilo, which has a robust agriculture industry, recognizes the devastating impact ASF can have — not just on the swine industry but on the broader agricultural ecosystem. The disease, with no cure currently available, necessitates a stringent prevention-centric approach. This involves wide-ranging biosecurity protocols like establishing perimeter fencing, maintaining hygiene through footbaths and washing areas, and enforcing rigorous cleanliness standards across all operational levels.
Yesterday, agriculture technicians from Iloilo’s 43 municipalities, including Passi City, made gathered for situational appraisals to reinforce standards and protocols among local backyard hog raisers. The strategy: fortify at all costs, ensure compliance, and keep the ASF virus at bay.
The provincial government’s decision for a continued ban on pork products from ASF-affected areas, aligns with this preventive doctrine. Such measures, while strict, are necessary buffers against the economic havoc witnessed in previous ASF outbreaks.
This level of biosecurity is a model that other provinces can look to. Diseases like ASF do not respect borders, and the domino effect of an outbreak can cripple national agricultural sectors. Iloilo’s approach teaches that preparedness transcends crisis response — it is building a resilient agricultural framework that can withstand not only current but future threats.
Biosecurity is an investment in the economic and food security of Iloilo. Other provinces grappling with similar threats must consider adopting this vigilant and structured approach to agricultural disease prevention. This unified and robust defense mechanism against the unseen enemies of our farming communities is a blueprint that calls for nationwide adoption — a move that will define the future stability and growth of the Philippines’ agricultural sector.
