The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) of the Province of Cotabato, through the directive of Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, in coordination with the local governments, barangays, Philippine National Police (PNP) and other stakeholders, is intensifying strict surveillance, monitoring, and information education campaign to control the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the province.
Two confirmed cases of ASF were detected after testing positive in blood testing on June 29, 2024 in Barangay Idaoman, Poblacion, President Roxas, Cotabato.
The OPV is scheduled to conduct more random blood testing on hogs in different towns of the province in the next few days.
Meanwhile, the OPV immediately acted on calls and reports from hog owners, barangay health animal providers (BHAP), barangay officials, and concerned citizens on reported suspected cases of ASF in their areas of responsibility.
The provincial government is now calling on all Cotabateños to participate in the suppression of the crisis caused by ASF, which is considered a major threat to the hog industry and the agricultural sector.
Hog farmers in several towns in Cotabato, also known as North Cotabato, were first affected by ASF in 2020 but was contained in the same year. A new outbreak was reported at the start of 2022.
This is the reason why Mendoza opened the Provincial Veterinary Quarantine Services Center in 2022 to strengthen the control measures against the entry of ASF.
The facility, located along the main highway in Old Bulatukan, Makilala, has disinfection equipment and foot baths. All vehicles are required to undergo inspection, including passengers and cargo.
The Province of Cotabato has also 10 agriculture quarantine around the province.
“Since agriculture is the foundation of our economy and we are an agricultural province, we must safeguard our farmers and hog farmers,” said Mendoza.
