TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The City Veterinary Services Office (CVSO) reported that the city maintains its status as free from the pestilence of African Swine Fever (ASF) unless a case is confirmed.
In an interview, OIC- City Veterinarian Dr. Carmen Wanas said that declaration of ASF-free was made last week of June 2022 by the city government through City Mayor Darwin Estrañero after having no case for the last five months of the year, and after having complied with the number of requirements in coordination with the Regional Office of Department of Agriculture.
Wanas said that ASF-free status was achieved due to imposed biosecurity measures including intense weekly ASF negative incidence monitoring, rapid testing, cleaning and sanitation of piggeries, sentinelling of pigs, stricter slaughterhouse operation and meat inspection, coordination with nearby municipalities and provinces, and intensified education campaign.
She also emphasized to the public most especially among the hog raisers to continuously observe ASF prevention protocol and biosecurity measures to ensure no resurgence of ASF virus at their own farms.
As an ASF-free city, the city government is hoping to become a beneficiary of the swine repopulation program to boost the swine industry by reviving and intensifying hog production endeavors.
The CVSO reminds pig farm owners and hog raisers not to be complacent instead be on guard above their piggeries and vigilant to bring to the attention of the CVSO whenever hogs start to show sign of ASF or any related hog disease.