The Bacolod City government is strengthening measures to curb the spread of African swine fever (ASF), which has been detected in hogs from at least two barangays.
Acting Mayor El Cid Familiaran said on Thursday, June 1, that four cases of the highly contagious viral disease — two each in barangays Taculing and Tangub — have been confirmed by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry.
He said the city government will initiate training for barangay biosecurity officers from all 61 villages as part of the response to the ASF threat.
“Representatives from the barangays will serve as force multipliers. They will be trained as paravets to help the City Veterinary Office (CVO). For campaign and prevention, and to educate our hog raisers on protocols and measures to prevent all illnesses,” he told reporters.
On Wednesday afternoon, the City Council passed a resolution requesting the CVO, through Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who is still on an official trip to the United States, to conduct intensified testing and monitoring of live hogs in Bacolod.
“(This) will help curtail and prevent the spread of ASF within the city and protect the (local) pork industry,” Councilor Claudio Jesus Puentevella, who authored the resolution, said.
Also, the City Council approved another resolution for intensified border inspection of pork products and live hogs entering Bacolod.*PNA