DA asks LGUs to supplement DA’s effort to curb ASF, compels them to report State of Calamity to access disaster funds

October 19, 2023

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has asked local government units (LGU) to supplement DA’s effort to curb African swine fever (ASF) and compelled them to declare a State of Calamity in order to access disaster program budget.

   DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said DA and its attached Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is strengthening biosecurity measures amid a State of Calamity declaration in Nueva Vizcaya.

   Dr. Arlene Vytiaco, BAI deputy director, said that under the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) guidelines, provincial LGUs  are compelled to declare a State of Calamity if more than two of their municipalities have an outbreak. 

   “This (declaring a State of Calamity) will allow them to access disaster funds to combat ASF,” said Vytiaco.

   DA-BAI has already sent investigators, trained personnel and supplies to Nueva Vizcaya as soon as it declared a State of Calamity after its infected areas reached to nine municipalities.

   Savellano urged LGUs to supplement DA’s limited budget for ASF control. As the deliberated budget of DA for vaccines for 2024 just amounts to P1.5 billion, LGU’s accessing its own funds will be a significant move to control the disease.

   “Malaking bagay ang pag access ng LGU funds sa pakikipaglaban ng ASF.  Sa amin sa DA, biosecurity war na ito. Ang laban namin ay sitio kada sitio, bara-barangay, muni- munisipyo at probi-probinsiya.’ Ngayong wala pang aprubadong bakuna, pag iingat na di kumalat ang ASF ang ating ginagawa,” said Savellano.

   He also urged vaccine manufacturers to apply for commercialization with government.

   “We call upon vaccines companies to register and undergo testing and trials for the local market with the proper authorities,” he said.

   Savellano believes that as there is no approved vaccine yet, the P1.5 billion budget should also be made available for biosecurity efforts.

  In coordination with enforcement authorities, it is putting in place checkpoints to monitor movement of diseased hogs.

   There is also a need for a huge indemnification fund which will encourage hog raisers to report ASF as they will be compensated for reporting it.