Cagayan de Oro City – Vigilant Local Government Units in Mindanao are waging a determined effort to prevent the entry of the African Swine Fever as the dreaded hog disease continues to spread in Luzon.
Provinces, especially the livestock-producing Bukidnon, have strengthened their bio-security measures which require commuters to get off their vehicles and step on footbaths by the side of the highway.
Vehicles are also sprayed with disinfectants at checkpoints manned by LGU Quarantine Officers backed up by policemen and army soldiers.
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is supporting the LGUs’ efforts and organized hog industry stakeholders to conduct a Mindanao-wide information and education campaign on ASF.
Several Governors and Mayors have also issued Executive Orders banning the entry of pork and processed pork products from Luzon, a move which was initially countermanded by a Memorandum from the DILG directing the mayors to allow the shipment of processed pork products.
The latest report of the seizure of processed pork found infected with ASF bound for Mindoro from Luzon may put the DILG Memorandum in question.
In the face of mixed signals from national agencies handling the ASF problem, the LGUs found an ally in President Rody Duterte who issued an order yesterday for the different agencies to get their acts together and work as one under the Whole of Nation Approach.
The Presidential directive came as a relief to the LGUs who felt that their hog farmers are being sacrificed in favor of business groups involved in the sale of pork and processed pork products.
The MinDA is preparing a request to be forwarded to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año for financial support to LGUs for the procurement of more efficient biosecurity equipment and facilities.
(Photos by Mayette Tudlas, MinDA OC)
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