Metro Manila, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said a declaration of a national state of calamity is not yet warranted to contain the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country.
Laurel said enhanced border controls, an emergency inoculation program, and increased indemnification measures are enough to manage the surge in ASF cases.
The government response “includes setting up of livestock checkpoints to prevent transport of diseased animals suspected to have abetted [the] latest spread of ASF and immediate purchase of 10,000 doses of ASF vaccines for emergency inoculation in affected areas,” the DA said in a statement.
Laurel said ₱150 million is readily available, financing an indemnification program “to encourage hog raisers to report and cull diseased animals instead of selling them.”
The DA will provide ₱4,000 per piglet, ₱8,000 per medium-size pigs, and ₱12,000 for big hogs.
Batangas has already declared a state of calamity, with the number of ASF-hit barangays already rising to 42.
READ: Batangas declares state of calamity due to ASF
Some groups have expressed fears over lower pork supply due to the recent spike in ASF cases.
Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the DA has readied meat import requirements since the second quarter in order to stabilize supply in the run-up to the “Ber” months.
No use of expired ASF vaccines
De Mesa gave assurances that the government will use new vaccines to fight ASF and will not use or procure expired ASF vaccines in its controlled trials.
“We can assure na ‘yong bibilhin at gagamitin [the vaccines that will be procured and used] are not those previously sent here,” he said in an interview with reporters, adding the government still has no stocks of ASF doses.
The DA is set to use Vietnam’s AVAC ASF LIVE vaccines for the trials, which will be voluntary.
READ: Vietnam-made ASF vaccine gets regulatory approval
“Ang assurance natin [Our assurance is that] for the emergency purchase and the regular procurement will be new doses coming in and will have validity for two years,” he added.
Batangas, which is among the red zones or with active cases, will get around 10,000 vaccines through the agency’s emergency procurement.
As of Aug. 8, the DA said 251 barangays in 11 regions have active ASF infections in the country.
