The Province of Iloilo African Swine Fever (ASF) Task Force convened on February 15, 2024, to discuss the recovery measures of the provincial government towards reviving the swine industry and achieving an ASF-free status.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Darel Tabuada said the province of Iloilo suffered a loss of 74 percent (205,191 heads) in its swine population since it was hit by ASF last October 13, 2022.
As of February 14, 2024, the disease has spread to 28 municipalities covering 161 barangays and affecting a total of 2,213 farmers.
“It has been more than a year since we were hit by ASF and there was a reduction in our swine industry production. Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. wanted to regain the inventory of the province and the swine industry,” Tabuada said.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said that recovering from ASF is important in realizing the development thrust of Governor Defensor under his MoRProGRes agenda which is to maximize agricultural production to boost the province’s agri-tourism industry.
“We can only dream of the attainment of the strategic and development thrust of MoRProGRes of increasing agricultural productivity if we can recover. We hope we could come up with a comprehensive, cohesive, and implementable plan for an early recovery from ASF,” Banias said.
Also present in the meeting are Department of Agriculture VI regulatory division chief Dr. Jonic Natividad, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Cornelio Salinas, and representatives from the Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Iloilo Police Provincial Office, and the Philippine Coast Guard, among others.
(Capitol News)
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