Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 19) —The entire province of Nueva Vizcaya is now under a state of calamity due to the increasing African Swine Fever (ASF) cases across its nine municipalities.
According to its resolution, a total of 798 ASF cases were recorded in 42 barangays in Quezon, Bambang, Dupax del Norte, Bayombong, Bagabag, Kayapa, Kasibu, Diadi and Solano towns.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Gov. Jose Gambito filed the resolution on Oct. 9, which gives the provincial government needed resources and measures to support the national and local agencies in fighting the ASF outbreak.
\”Sa local level ‘meron pong task ang DARFO/LGU na i-report sa BAI within 24 hours if may confirmed na ASF case sa lugar nila. May kasama ding disease investigation report,\” Dr. Arlene Vytiaco na Deputy Director of Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
[Translation: On the local level, our DA Regional Field Offices are tasked to report to BAI within 24 hours if there are confirmed ASF cases in their places. We also conduct disease investigation reports.]
According to Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano, the department is lacking funds to combat ASF and bird flu, reiterating that using local funds can help significantly.
\”Sa amin sa DA, biosecurity war na ito,\” he said. \”Ang laban namin ay sitio kada sitio, bara-barangay, muni-munisipyo at probi-probinsiya. Ngayong wala pang aprubadong bakuna, pag-iingat na di kumalat ang ASF ang ating ginagawa.\”
[Translation: Here in DA, this is already a biosecurity. Our fight is from sitio to sitio, barangay to barangay, municipality to municipality, and province to province. Now that there is no approved vaccine yet, we are extra careful to not spread the ASF diseases.]
Savellano urged vaccine companies to register and undergo appropriate trials to make it locally available. He also urged the government to align 2024 budgets for ASF vaccines.
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