City Intensifies ASF Disease Control Program and BABay ASF
MARCH 15, 2023
The city government of San Carlos, thru the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) Office, intensified the African Swine Fever (ASF) Disease Control Program and implementation of Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) thru the creation of a city ordinance.
A public hearing on the proposed ordinance was held at the SP Session Hall, attended by Vice Mayor Christopher Paul Carmona, SP Members, and other representatives of the local government unit, barangays, and establishments, yesterday, Mar. 14.
Said proposed ordinance 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.
Among the specifications are the roles and functions of the ASF Task Force chaired by the mayor; responsibilities of BABay ASF; surveillance in the local markets, ports, and customers; penalties and sanctions of P500 to P1,000 penalty, and/or imprisonment to a maximum of six months including suspension or cancellation of license to transport; and funds to be allotted by the city to support ASF-related activities and indemnification purposes for affected farmers.
Dr. Jeff Reonal, Veterinary Services Division Chief of the City Agriculture’s Office (CAO), said the ordinance is crucial since it will be their basis for responding to the spread of ASF.
Reonal stressed that there are no recorded cases of ASF in the city and that 500 samples of pig blood from different owners were recently collected and tested negative following their request for the city to be declared ASF-free within six months.
He added that preventive measures were also implemented, including the creation of the ASF Task Force before ASF disease was detected in Cebu province.
He added that the vaccine is currently under trial in the Luzon area, and they are still trying their best to prevent and secure the city as only the provinces of Bohol and Negros are ASF-free.
*Please watch the video of this news event and other stories thru #VAMOSNewsSanCarlos over the Youtube channel and at Parasat TV channel 2 every Saturday at 7 PM.
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