LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Provincial Veterinary Office has crafted a contingency manual to manage the African Swine Fever before, during, and after an outbreak.
The manual, called “Benguet PORK,” contains instructions on the appropriate measures to take when managing an outbreak.
PORK stands for prevention, on-the-dot response, and keeping updated and ahead of the outbreak to help revive the pork industry.
As a preventive measure, the PVO established quarantine checkpoints that monitor the entry of pork commodities and live pigs. These checkpoints are located at Marcos Highway, Kennon Road, Naguilian Road, La Union-Benguet Road in San Pascual, Tuba; Halsema Road in Bangao, Buguias; Ilocos Sur-Benguet Road in Colalo, Mankayan; and Benguet-Vizcaya Road in Pito, Bokod.
Recently, a truck carrying pork products was denied entry along Palina, Marcos Highway through the help of the community.
The provincial government has maintained the ban on the entry of live pigs, fresh and frozen pork, and pork products in the province as areas affected by ASF now include nearby Pangasinan.
“We must protect the livelihood of our people,” Gov. Melchor Diclas said, explaining that swine raising has long been a common income generating source of livelihood, especially among rural households.
Dr. Miriam Tiongan, PVO head, said although the disease is host-specific or only affects swine and not transmissible to humans, it has adverse impact on the livelihood of the swine raisers. – Susan C. Aro
April 20, 2024
