Story By Josephine M. Mendoza
Photos from John Allen Berbon
CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR – Security measures here tightens against the threat of ASF aimed at protecting the hog industry in the province.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan of Northern Samar signed in September 13, 2019 Executive Order No. 01-10-19, Executive Order No. 01-09-19 that adopts an ASF provincial preparedness and contingency plan (PPCP) thereby creating a Provincial ASF Task Force (PASF).
With the alarming cases of swine contamination and deaths, ASF is considered as a serious concern in view of the geographical location of Northern Samar being the gateway to Luzon and Mindanao.
“After consultation with the private sector which includes our local hog raisers and meat dealers, the provincial government deemed it appropriate to take precautionary measures to keep the province safe from ASF,” the Governor said.
The plan embodies a comprehensive strategy to counter ASF involving the collaboration of different government agencies and local government units in the province. It provides the following measures: (1) strict enforcement of quarantine procedures; (2) regular field surveillance and movement control; (3) participatory inter-agency collaboration; (4) animal disease and policy updating; and (5) information dissemination and education.
Photos from John Allen Berbon
CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR – Security measures here tightens against the threat of ASF aimed at protecting the hog industry in the province.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan of Northern Samar signed in September 13, 2019 Executive Order No. 01-10-19, Executive Order No. 01-09-19 that adopts an ASF provincial preparedness and contingency plan (PPCP) thereby creating a Provincial ASF Task Force (PASF).
With the alarming cases of swine contamination and deaths, ASF is considered as a serious concern in view of the geographical location of Northern Samar being the gateway to Luzon and Mindanao.
“After consultation with the private sector which includes our local hog raisers and meat dealers, the provincial government deemed it appropriate to take precautionary measures to keep the province safe from ASF,” the Governor said.
The plan embodies a comprehensive strategy to counter ASF involving the collaboration of different government agencies and local government units in the province. It provides the following measures: (1) strict enforcement of quarantine procedures; (2) regular field surveillance and movement control; (3) participatory inter-agency collaboration; (4) animal disease and policy updating; and (5) information dissemination and education.
The task force is bound to monitor entry of imported meat and meat products, quarantine, information campaign and policy review.
A Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), chaired by the governor was also created. It shall function to provide policy directions; oversee the implementation of the African Swine Fever, Preparedness and Contingency Plan; and secure the cooperation of the component local government units of the province.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Jose Luis Acompañado as Executive Committee Vice Chairman, in joining the governor in the endeavour, asked for everybody’s cooperation to prevent ASF virus from affecting the hog industry of the province.
“Magkapit-bisig tayo para pigilan na masalanta ng ASF ang hog industry dito sa probinsya” (let us all work together arms-linked to prevent ASF from affecting the hog industry in the province), Veterinarian Acompañado said.
Bureau of Animal Industry Region 8 Quarantine Officer, Dr. Miriam Lopez-Vito is co-vice chair of the Executive Committee.
Governor Ongchuan is set on maintaining the status and keep the swine industry of Northern Samar secure from all threats even at a time when, according to the regional office 8 of the Department of Agriculture, Eastern Visayas remains to be free from the disease.
In a separate issuance, Governor Ongchuan, signed Special Order No. 01-09-19 of even date authorizing all Municipal Agriculturist/Agricultural Officers and Municipal Veterinarians to sign and issue shipping permits of live animals from respective jurisdiction to any part of the province in accordance with existing mandates relative to taking necessary measures to eradicate, prevent or cure all forms of animal disease and regulate the keeping of domestic animals.
The ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs affecting all ages with mortality as high as 100% where animals cannot be treated and the disease cannot be prevented by vaccines.(CJ)
A Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), chaired by the governor was also created. It shall function to provide policy directions; oversee the implementation of the African Swine Fever, Preparedness and Contingency Plan; and secure the cooperation of the component local government units of the province.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Jose Luis Acompañado as Executive Committee Vice Chairman, in joining the governor in the endeavour, asked for everybody’s cooperation to prevent ASF virus from affecting the hog industry of the province.
“Magkapit-bisig tayo para pigilan na masalanta ng ASF ang hog industry dito sa probinsya” (let us all work together arms-linked to prevent ASF from affecting the hog industry in the province), Veterinarian Acompañado said.
Bureau of Animal Industry Region 8 Quarantine Officer, Dr. Miriam Lopez-Vito is co-vice chair of the Executive Committee.
Governor Ongchuan is set on maintaining the status and keep the swine industry of Northern Samar secure from all threats even at a time when, according to the regional office 8 of the Department of Agriculture, Eastern Visayas remains to be free from the disease.
In a separate issuance, Governor Ongchuan, signed Special Order No. 01-09-19 of even date authorizing all Municipal Agriculturist/Agricultural Officers and Municipal Veterinarians to sign and issue shipping permits of live animals from respective jurisdiction to any part of the province in accordance with existing mandates relative to taking necessary measures to eradicate, prevent or cure all forms of animal disease and regulate the keeping of domestic animals.
The ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs affecting all ages with mortality as high as 100% where animals cannot be treated and the disease cannot be prevented by vaccines.(CJ)
