Five hundred pig blood samples collected from different hog raisers in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, tested negative for African Swine Fever (ASF), Dr. Jeff Reonal, Veterinary Services Division Chief, said.
There are no recorded ASF cases in San Carlos City, he stressed.
San Carlos City, through its Sangguniang Panlungsod, is pushing for the passage of an ordinance that will intensify its ASF Disease Control Program and Bantay ASF SA Barangay (BABay ASF).
The SP recently held a public hearing on the proposed ordinance that will strengthen and institutionalize LGU engagement for ASF prevention and control; establish an effective ASF monitoring, surveillance, and reporting system; strengthen biosecurity measures at the farm level and border control; intensify awareness campaigns and other capacity-building activities; and generate and mobilize resources for effective implementation of the program, a press release from the city said.
The ordinance sets ASF penalties and sanctions at P500 to P1,000 and/or imprisonment to a maximum of six months, including suspension or cancellation of license to transport pork products, it said.
Reonal said the ordinance is crucial since it will be their basis for responding to the spread of ASF. *