Palawan province has remained African Swine Fever (ASF) free after the first semester of 2023, according to Dr. Darius P. Mangcucang, Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Despite the Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) National African Swine Fever (ASF) Prevention and Control Program reporting active cases of ASF in various parts of the country, particularly in fifty-eight (58) municipalities across sixteen (16) provinces and nine (9) regions, Palawan has successfully maintained its green zone status.
The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), in partnership with local government units (LGUs), Veterinary Officers, Barangay Biosecurity Officers (BBO), and other agencies in the province, has implemented several initiatives to combat ASF.
These measures include strict control over the movement of live pigs, pork products, and processed pork entering and exiting the province. Blood collection, monitoring, surveillance, and quarantine personnel stationed at ports and airports have also been carried out. Additionally, forums and seminars have been conducted to raise awareness about ASF.
Mangcucang of the PVO urged the public to adhere to the implemented measures by the provincial government to prevent the entry of ASF into the province. He advised Palaweños not to bring pork products during their vacations, as they could potentially be a source of ASF transmission. He also emphasized the prohibition of collecting pork products from hotels and discouraged the purchase of online meat products from Manila, as their origin and safety cannot be guaranteed.
“Sa mga Palaweño po na kababayan natin, huwag po natin isama sa bakasyon natin ang mga produktong baboy dahil maaari po itong pagmulan ng pagkalat ng sakit na ASF. Hindi rin po natin pinahihintulutan na mangolekta ng mga pagkaing baboy sa mga hotel ang mga nag-aalaga ng baboy dahil hindi tayo nakasisiguro rito gayundin ang hindi pagtangkilik sa mga nagbebenta ng online meat products na galing sa Maynila dahil hindi po natin alam kung ito ay hot meat o galing sa mga red zone provinces,” said Mangcucang.
The public is encouraged to report any suspected cases of pig illness or mass mortality to the Provincial Veterinary Office or the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO).
“Kung may mga kahina-hinalang pagkakasakit ng mga baboy o maramihang pagkamatay, ipagbigay alam lang po sa aming tanggapan na Provincial Veterinary Office at sa mga Municipal Agriculture Office,” added Mangcucang.
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