BUTUAN CITY FORMS TASK FORCE AGAINST AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

BUTUAN CITY - The local government of Butuan City worries after some of the pigs in the Davao region tested positive in African swine fever. As a result, a task force is activated to implement precautionary measures against the entry of ASF in this region.

Dr. Mancio Alegado, the City veterinarian, said the city officials and the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga recommend placing quarantine checkpoints in all the entry points in the city, including airport and seaports.

During the meeting of the Regional Advisory on Animal Disease Control and Emergency, they suggested banning all incoming pork products, by-products, and live hogs from General Santos City, South Cotabato, Saranggani, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Cotabato.

But because the affected areas of ASF are so close to the Caraga region, the said council plans to recommend all pork products, by-products, and live hogs from Region 11 and Region 12 to be banned.

Jack Maragañas, a swineherd for two years, says he will give vitamins and avoid pigswill to be stricter in raising pigs.

Meanwhile, the only allowed pork products to enter are those coming from Bukidnon, Davao City, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Camiguin, and Davao de Oro, Compostella Valley, but with proof of complete documents.

Dr. Alegado urges the pig farmers to for now, avoid feeding their pigs with pigswill, even the slops from restaurants.