Davao hog farmers, meat vendors get refresher on ASF

Over 300 hog raisers, meat vendors, livestock traders, and village officials get a refresher on African Swine Fever (ASF) which has been causing alarm in Davao City.

The ASF Summit Program on Wednesday at the Apo View Hotel was organized by the Hog Farmers Association of Davao Inc. in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Davao City Veterinarian’s Office and the Davao Association of Veterinary Technical Sales Representatives, Inc (DAVETS) aimed at providing a deeper understanding and comprehensive information of the swine disease that hit hog farms in Calinan.

Wilfred Teves, the Vice President of the Hog Farmers Association, said lack of knowledge on the swine disease is causing fear among the farmers and consumers.

“It will give us a better view kung unsa gyud— what ASF is all about…usahay ang mga tao naging medyo nangahadlok na about the ASF because they don’t really understand what ASF is all about (It will give us a better view on what really ASF is about. Sometimes the people fear ASF because they don’t understand what it is),” Teves said.

According to Teves, the main objective right now is how to control and prevent ASF.

“So mao gyud na ang atong ginatunong nga dili na ma-spread (That’s what we are trying to emphasize, that the disease will not spread),” he added.

Dr. Cerelyn Pinili, the head of CVO, the summit also emphasized on biodiversity practices in the pigpens and farms such as disinfection and cleaning of the area.

She also reported on the completion of the depopulation of hogs in the three ASF-infected villages in Calinan and the continued monitoring of the said areas.

Pinili said the farmers and hog raisers were participative in reporting immediately if symptoms of ASF show in their hogs. Early prevention, she said, is very important.

She admitted that the swine disease affected the livelihood of a number of farmers. She was, however, optimistic their livelihood will return to normal because of their close cooperation with authorities.

At present, she said her office is planning to conduct awareness and prevention on ASF in the villages.

Amid ASF fear, Pinili reassured that pork meat in the city is safe for consumption. CIO