SP LU APPROVES MEASURE TO CONTROL ASF
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC – SP | Photos By: Mark Andrew G. Sanchez, SP | Date: June 1, 2021
The 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan approves Provincial Ordinance for Intensified African Swine Fever (ASF) Disease Control Program principally authored by SPM Geraldine R. Ortega during its 101st Regular Session on June 1, 2021. The ordinance aims to intensify ASF control program which includes the adoption of ASF Task Force; Accreditation/registration of designated key ASF frontliners who will act as Biosecurity Officers; and allocation of supplemental counterpart fund as well as penalties and sanction.
As part of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s counterpart in controlling and preventing the further spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) disease in the province, the 22nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved in third and final reading the Draft Ordinance No. 295-2021, entitled, Provincial Ordinance For Intensified African Swine Fever (ASF) Disease Control Program during its 101st Regular Session on June 1, 2021.
Due to an outbreak of ASF in the province as confirmed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) from March 6, 2020 to November 5, 2020, SPM Geraldine R. Ortega, Chairperson of the SP Committee on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources proposed for the enactment of an ordinance for the intensification of ASF control program which includes the provision on the adoption of ASF Task Force; Accreditation/registration of designated key ASF frontliners who will serve as Biosecurity Officers; allocation of supplemental counterpart fund and penalties and sanction.
The ordinance aims to 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; strengthen and institutionalize Municipal and Barangay engagement for ASF prevention and control; assist in the recovery and repopulation of previously affected areas and to generate and mobilize resources for an effective implementation of the program.
Likewise, the said ordinance prohibits the tampering and falsification of required animal and meat shipping documents such as Hog Transport Pass, Veterinary Shipping Permit, Veterinary Health Certificate, Certificate of Free Status on ASF and Laboratory test result for ASF; falsification of weekly negative disease monitoring report and biosecurity evaluation report; concealment of information; removal of diseased animals from quarantine area; non-reporting and delay of reporting; interference/disobedience to persons in authority; refusal to farm inspection and conduct of surveillance.
An amount of P500,000.00 will be allocated annually for the purchase of PPEs, laboratory sample collecting equipment, disinfectants, and other materials needed for the activities to control the spread of the disease.
Penalties on the violation of this ordinance are set to P1,000.00 for the first infraction; P2,000.00 for the second infraction; and P5,000.00 or imprisonment of not more than one year or both in the discretion of the court for the third and succeeding infractions.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs that is currently affecting the local hog industry of the province and the country as a whole. The passage of the ordinance and its efficient implementation will effectively control, manage, and contain ASF, thereby paving at-once the recovery of the province’ swine industry.
