TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The members of the city’s ASF Task Force unanimously decided to declare Tabuk under the ASF Outbreak/State of Animal Health Emergency as a result of the 13 barangays having ASF cases as of October 16.
The City Veterinary Services Office (CVSO), led by Dr. Carmen Wanas, announced during a special meeting on October 16 that a total of 267 hogs perished in the 13 barangays as a result of ASF. The office also noted 46 sick pigs, and the swine fever in the city ultimately impacted 209 hog raisers. Other hogs that were not reported as potential ASF suspects in Tabuk were not mentioned in the report.
Per record, the barangays affected with confirmed ASF cases based on rapid test kit results are Dagupan West, New Tanglag, Bulanao Centro, Bulanao Norte, Bulo, Ipil, Gobgob, Naneng, Bagumbayan, Cabaruan, Appas, San Juan, and Agbannawag.
The task force claims that the chief executive’s decision to issue an executive order declaring an animal health emergency as well as the pertinent legislative department ordinance will strengthen the efforts of the task force and its partner organizations to stop the ASF from spreading widely throughout the city and neighboring towns.
One of the measures discussed was the establishment of checkpoints, or possibly entry points, for hogs that are coming into the city from other municipalities and nearby provinces. The task force urged the legislative department to include in the proposed ordinance the indemnification of hog raisers when they opt to depopulate their hogs when they are ASF confirmed.
Barangay officials and residents were also urged to report to the CVSO if there are hogs within their community that are possible suspects of ASF for immediate action.
Additionally, consumers are recommended to exercise caution and vigilance when purchasing meat from unreliable sources that did not pass regulatory security processes in a market, a restaurant, or any other facility. The crucial biosecurity precautions were also emphasized, including refraining from uncooked swill feeding, avoiding fresh roughage of feed harvested in wild boar infected areas, barring visitors from seeing animals, refraining from using bedding harvested in such areas, sharing equipment unless it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and avoiding contact with wild boars and other pigs.
The established Bantay Karne Task Force in the city will continue to inspect the market and other establishments to ensure that regulatory laws are observed as well as to guarantee the safety and protection of every consumer. By Ian Jefrey Addatu
