President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed agriculture officials to intensify biosecurity measures and livestock consolidation alongside ongoing African swine fever (ASF) vaccinations.
“The key to that is consolidation. Mayroon tayong ginagawa sa consolidation kasi pagka-backyard, mahirap kontrolin ‘yung biosecurity,” Marcos Jr. said during a recent meeting with Regional Development Council III at the CSJDM Convention Center in Bulacan.
“Di ba ‘yung plano natin, hopefully na mailagay natin in one secure — biosecure facility. I don’t know, mukhang mahirap, because most people don’t want to give up their animals,” he added.
Without proper biosecurity, the President said that even vaccinated hogs remain at risk.
Agriculture Undersecretary-designate for Livestock Constante Palabrica assured him that measures are in place and farmers are being educated.
ASF vaccinations have immunized 50,000 hogs, with 80% protection after vaccination, according to Palabrica.
The government has also purchased 500,000 doses, with 200,000 allocated for Region 3.
He added that the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is compiling vaccination data for FDA approval under a memorandum of understanding to assess vaccine efficacy.IMT
