The Department of Agriculture is acting swiftly to immediately address a reported outbreak of African Swine Fever in certain areas in Batangas.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said Wednesday the Department of Agriculture is now preparing for the emergency procurement of ASF vaccines to address the situation promptly.

“The local government units may need to declare a state of emergency in these Batangas municipalities to enable the DA to respond swiftly to the situation and release funds for the urgent purchase of vaccines,” he said.

The DA chief underscored the continuing efforts against ASF, a stubborn virus that continues to adversely affect local swine production despite intensive biosecurity efforts since 2019. Aside from vaccines, he said the DA will also provide hog producers in Batangas with industrial lime to treat areas where condemned swines are buried.

Sec. Tiu Laurel said the DA is coordinating with the police and the military to enforce check points to prevent the spread of ASF-infected animals.

Assistant Secretary Dante Palabrica, a doctor of veterinary medicine and in-charge of swine and poultry, said the DA may need to purchase at least 10,000 doses of ASF vaccines for the emergency response.

Emergency procurement could shorten the purchase period by about a 2 weeks.

Local Government Units have the authority to declare a state of emergency, and such a declaration would be confined to the affected areas to control the ASF outbreak.

Asec. Palabrica has been tasked to engage LGU officials to discuss the declaration of the state of emergency and coordinate the response.

Meanwhile, the DA’s Bids and Awards Committee and Bureau of Animal Industry will draft the necessary resolution to formalize the emergency procurement process.

The DA’s proactive steps underscore its commitment to addressing the ASF outbreak effectively and minimizing its impact on local pig production. ###