By PR | 11:34 AM April 27, 2024
The Provincial African Swine Fever (ASF) Inter-Agency Task Force has tightened implementation of preventive measures and containment of suspected cases especially in three Dauis barangays even as Bohol remains a “light green” zone.
A green zone means ASF was not detected and considered a moderate risk in mainland Bohol
Dr. Constante Palabrica, Department of Agriculture assistant secretary and Bureau of Animal Industry officer-in-charge who was in Bohol last week said a team was sent to barangays Mayacabac, Biking and Mariveles to monitor and analyze the situation.
During the April 26 episode of weekly The Capitol Reports, Dr. Anthony Damalerio, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head, emphasized the need for the public’s cooperation in strengthening the task force’s efforts to save the P6 billion hog industry.
“Magtinabangay gyud ta. We urge the public to fully cooperate,” Damalerio said in the efforts to contain the ASF and prevent its possible spread to mainland Bohol.
The livelihood of about 48,000 hog raisers in mainland Bohol are at risk, with the majority, or 80% categorized as small backyard hog raisers while the rest are in the commercial industry.
This was also emphasized by Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) head, who said that the task force’s main priority at the moment is to contain the disease in Dauis.
Meanwhile, as part of strengthening the containment of the disease, the ASF Task Force has been working on a traffic route plan between mainland Bohol and Panglao island since Wednesday and will keep the current traffic scheme for the next three or four days.
This working scheme was based on Executive Order 13 signed by Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, which intensifies disease monitoring and surveillance through border control and checkpoints.
The route plan mainly aims to prevent the possible disease from spreading to other mainland areas, especially in transporting live pigs, meat, and other pork-related products.
As of April 25, 27 violations of Executive Order No. 13, prohibiting the transport of pork and pork products from Panglao Island into mainland Bohol have been reported.
The majority of these include processed pork meat, pork viand, and leftovers which happened in the first two days but became minimal after days of border control.
According to PMaj Joseph Lopena, Bohol Provincial Police Office Provincial Operations Management Unit deputy chief, there was a heavy volume of traffic since re-routing.
He further added that the junction area was problematic, but the presence of the Tagbilaran City Philippine National Police (PNP) and City Traffic Management Office helped ease the traffic.
The Department of Public Works and Highways is also monitoring the bridges’ integrity, while Barangay tanods and Bureau of Fire personnel provide augmentation during peak hours.
Lopena thanked the commuting public for their cooperation while the traffic scheme was adjusted to respond to specific concerns. He also advised them to plan their travel with the identified peak hours in the border areas at 6-8 am, 11 am-1 pm, and 4 pm-7 pm.
He also reminded everyone to understand that the inconveniences are due to the efforts to protect the hog industry, especially the backyard raisers. (PiMO/JSS)
