• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Authorities in Negros Occidental are stepping up efforts to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF), following the detection of new cases in Barangay West Balabag, Valencia town.
Dr. Placeda Lemana, provincial veterinarian of Negros Occidental, said that they are conducting spot inspection to prevent the entry of live pigs, pork and pork by- products to La Castellana, Negros Occidental, especially during the market day of the neighboring Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Lemana said that they also heightened the conduct of checkpoints 24/7 in Kabankalan City and Hinobaan, which have borders with Negros Oriental.
Dr. Alfonso Tundag, quarantine officer of the Bureau of Animal Industry in Negros Oriental, said that the ASF cases in Valencia are a re-emergence, noting that there was a previous outbreak last year in that town, which was contained through culling.
Authorities are still investigating the possible sources of the ASF resurgence in Valencia.
A ban on the entry of pork supply from Luzon, Mindanao, Cebu, Panay, and Negros Oriental to Negros Occidental remains in effect.
Lemana said that personnel of the provincial ASF task force are also mandated to monitor meat stalls in supermarkets and in local government units.
Four local government units in Negros Occidental, including the cities of Silay and Victorias as well as the municipalities of Hinigaran and Pulupandan, have each been declared as pink zone or ASF-free.
Last year, the hog industry in Negros Occidental incurred losses worth P200 million, affecting 3,536 raisers in 20 towns and cities of the province, mainly due to transboundary swine diseases. | GB
