LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The municipality of Itogon demo farm was reinfected last week with the African Swine Fever (ASF) October 2024 according to the Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Purita Lessing during the Kapihan sa Benguet on Adivay 2024 as part of the topics of swine production on October 28, 2024 at the Provincial Capital of Benguet.
With only 30% of the province’s swine consumption produced locally, the remaining supply of pork is sourced from neighboring lowland areas across the country. To protect the health and prevent the spread of ASF, provincial authorities have intensified inspections at animal quarantine stations along Benguet’s borders.
The latest survey recorded a population of 56,000 head of swine and 20,000 breeding animals in the province of Benguet. The province has made significant strides in reducing ASF cases, reporting only 14 cases this year, down from 30 cases last year. However, a recent ASF reinfection at Itogon’s municipal demo farm underscores ongoing risks.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Lessing stated, “With our campaign on the control of African swine fever, we hope to increase the population of our livestock in the province. So we are implementing strict biosecurity measures. This is one of the measures that would increase our swine population, and we’re intercepting around 108,000 heads of swine to ensure infected animals do not enter the province.” Officials reported intercepting a total of approximately 26 million kilos of various meat products, including poultry, at these checkpoints, and all shipments undergo stringent health inspections.
Lessing highlighted that beyond swine, other livestock such as chickens, goats, and cattle, as well as the burgeoning rabbit industry, are being developed to diversify the province’s animal food sources.
Governor Melchor Diclas recently authorized 46 livestock inspectors to oversee quarantine stations, ensuring that non-compliant animals are returned to their point of origin. Trucks carrying animals must halt at quarantine points, and any attempt to bypass these stations will prompt a flag-down procedure by the Philippine National Police.
The governor added, “Regarding the inspection of our livestock coming down, of course very strict tayo dito, ta amu- tayo nga adu um umay nga talaga. Of course during the time nga kasagsagan ti ASF, talaga nga nagrigat nga trabaho pa yung inspector, nagadu ti umun-uneg nga saan nga maaw-awatan. But anyway, this is an ordinance nga naaramid idi napalabas ng administration, so adda ordinance na dayta. Actually, we are allowed to collect fees. Adda ti kolkolekta-en tayo nga kwarta. Actually, we reached almost mano nga million didiay, 17 million ba? Dakkel dadiay nga makolkolekta nga pundo, but now, there is an order from the president, nga saan tayo mabalinen nga agkolekta. So that’s the problem now with the provincial government. We need to maintain our inspectors, dagidiay livestock inspectors, idiay border. Ta nu saan tayo maintain-aren isuda adu talaga iti umuneg.” Diclas said.
In the context of upcoming local festivals and the election campaign period, Benguet officials anticipate a spike in demand for pork. They are hopeful that the ongoing ASF control efforts and strengthened biosecurity measures will mitigate potential shortages. The inspection process remains a regulatory function, with inspectors funded from provincial government resources. By Angeline Kafuyao
