The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the emergency procurement of ASF vaccines to immediately respond to a reported African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in parts of Batangas province.
“The local government units may need to declare a state of emergency in these Batangas municipalities to enable the DA to respond swiftly to the situation and release funds for the urgent purchase of vaccines,” said DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
The DA said it would also provide industrial lime to hog producers in Batangas to disinfect burial areas for swine.
The agency said a collaboration with the police and military is underway to enforce checkpoints and prevent the spread of ASF-infected animals to other areas.
DA assistant secretary for livestock and poultry Dante Palabrica said the DA might need to purchase at least 10,000 vaccine doses for the emergency response.
The DA said emergency procurement would significantly shorten the purchase period by about two weeks, and local government units (LGUs) would have the authority to declare a state of emergency within affected areas to control the outbreak.
The DA’s bids and awards committee and the Bureau of Animal Industry will simultaneously prepare the necessary resolution to formalize the emergency procurement process.
The agency said its proactive steps underscore its commitment to addressing the ASF outbreak effectively and minimizing its impact on local pig production.
