JOINING FORCES: SIGNING OF MOU FOR BANTAY ASF SA BARANGAY

JOINING FORCES: SIGNING OF MOU FOR BANTAY ASF SA BARANGAY

 

PCSP Secretariat, July 15, 2020

 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing to undertake the Bantay ASF sa Barangay project between the Agricultural Training Institute at the International Training Center for Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH) and the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners (PCSP) transpired at Lipa City against the backdrop of African Swine Fever (ASF) cases spreading to the area of South Luzon.  The project highlights the ongoing private and government efforts in controlling the spread and the elimination of ASF.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) through its National Livestock Program will provide extension support services in the implementation of the project. Witnessed by Dr. William Medrano, DA’s Assistant Secretary for Livestock, the MOU was signed by the PCSP, led by Dr. Zoilo Lapus (President) and the ATI-ITCPH, led by Dr. Ruth Miclat-Sonaco (Center Director).  In addition, also signing are ITCPH officers:  Engr. Margaria Crizaldo, Planning Officer II and Ms. Jackie Garlet, Accountant.  PCSP officers were also present:  Dr. Max Montenegro, Project Lead; Dr. Angel Manabat, VP-External; Dr. Rommel Masilungan, Treasurer; and Dr. Ellecer Babelonia, Member of the Specialty Board.

Also on hand were key sector representatives from: the DA Regional Offices, DA – Regional Field Office 4A, Engr. ArnelDe Mesa, Reg. Executive Director and Ms. Vilma Dimaculangan, Reg. Technical Director, Research and Regulations; the private stakeholders, Mr. Pedrito Kalaw, President of United Batangas Swine Raiser’s Association Inc. (UNIBAT) and current Chair of the RAFC; and the LGU veterinarians, Dr. Marigold Manalo, Asst. City Veterinarian, CVO of Lipa City and Dr. Rommel Marasigan, of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Batangas Province.

Picture credits: ITCPH, MOU Signatories and Swine Industry Sector Representatives

 

While the PCSP and the ATI-ITCPH will help in knowledge transfer, the organization of LGU veterinarians, the Provincial, City, Municipal Veterinarians League of the Philippines (PCMVLP) through its officers have given positive feedback to assist in the organization of Biosecurity Officers.  There are already plans to deputize participants through the DA – Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) though the efforts of Dr. Samuel Joseph Castro, the Focal Person for African Swine Fever and its Director, Dr. Ronnie Domingo.

Looking Back

Almost a year ago, we got hit with ASF.  Prematurely as some say and it caught most off-guard.  The whole industry was alarmed by the spread of ASF in the pig dense provinces of North Luzon.

The PCSP mobilized industry partners and organized the allied animal health personnel with the action of volunteerism to adopt disinfection areas in the hardest hit province of Bulacan.   Also, on hand were the local government unit (LGU) veterinarians and the swine farmer organization for logistics and coordination.

 

Picture credits: PCSP FB Page, November 8, 2019

 

Later, as the spread of ASF continued, the project morphed into the “OPLAN BANTAY ASF SA BARANGAY”.  A Technical Working Group led by Dr. Max Montenegro and supported by Dr. Rommel Masilungan, Dr. Angel Manabat, Dr. Ma Cristina San Esteban, Dr. Ellecer Babelonia, Dr. Tom Acorda, Dr. Zosimo de Leon, Dr. Raul Berro, Dr. Roselle Cudal and Dr. Zoilo Lapus.  The primary aim is to conduct surveillance, monitor and control the spread of ASF from infected areas to non-infected areas. It also encourages the levelling up of biosecurity practices in small-scale and commercial farming systems, through the PCSP biosecurity leveling system.

 

Picture credits: PCSP FB Page, December 23, 2019

The primary cascade of the project was first targeted at BulacanProvince.  The January 2020 meeting was also crucial to understand the logistics and operational requirements for the.  It will serve as a template for other areas also affected by ASF.

Picture credits: PCSP FB Page, January 20, 2020

 

Preparing the Groundwork

The PCSP lost no time in developing materials and presenting them to stakeholder hog industry groups.  It was also presented at the 87th Annual Convention and Scientific Conference of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) during the Swine Technical Breakout Session hosted by the PCSP. The other objective to do biosecurity levelling and improvement for both smallscale and commercial swine farms.

Despite the delays of quarantine due to Covid, the project is now being pushed forward.  We enjoin all swine industry parties both in the private and public sectors in the fight against ASF.