Batangas, first to declare ASF-Free Areas in the Country

by DA-ITCPH July 1, 2021 The local government units, the ATI-ITCPH, National Livestock Program, hog raisers organizations, and the Philippi...

by DA-ITCPH
July 1, 2021

The local government units, the ATI-ITCPH, National Livestock Program, hog raisers organizations, and the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners (PCSP)

LIPA, Batangas — “This is the first local declaration that happened in our country, and Region IVA particularly Batangas once again led in battling ASF” – Dr. Romel Marasigan, Provincial Veterinarian of Batangas.

Five municipalities and one city were declared ASF-Free zones on June 18 at the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry. This includes Rosario, Malvar, Taysan, San Jose, Nasugbu, and Lipa City.



Having their first case in Laurel on February 2020, proceeded by various cases by July, the local government units, the ATI-ITCPH, National Livestock Program, hog raisers organizations, and the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners (PCSP) joined force to build a technical working group on ASF which was called “Bantay ASF sa Barangay” or BABay ASF.

During the fight aginst ASF, several towns were included as red zones which resulted to restricted movement of animals. Challenges in the availability of test kits, facilities, laboratories were encountered. Adding on the pressure was the movement of man due to the pandemic, slowing down the surveillance activities, investigations, and repopulation.



After sixteen (16) months, the public and private sector finally reaps their fruit of labor, as 6 out of 18 areas are declared as ASF-free zones.

Meanwhile, Dr. Samuel castro, head of the National ASF Task Force stressed that “BABay ASF” continuous to be a challenge in the Philippines but Batangas have shown that it can be done. He also encourages the declared ASF-free areas to document their best practices to help other regions move forward.



Joining this momentous event were the Director of the ITCPH and National Livestock Program Dr. Ruth S. Miclat-Sonaco, Regional Executive Director of DA RFO IV-A Ms. Vilma Dimaculangan, Veterianarian II Dr. Annierica Lajarca-Cascalla, RAFC Chairman and UNIBAT President Mr. Pedrito Kalaw, President of the PHILIPPINE Veterinary Medical Assoc. Batangas Chapter Dr. Genelyn Yatco, Fellow of the PCSP Dr. Max Montenegro, and the Municipal Mayor of Taysan Hon. Grande Gutierrez.

Receiving their ASF-Free certifications were the Chief Veterinarians, Chief Agriculturists, Mayors, and representatives of the hog raisers association of each municipality and city.