President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants to ramp up livestock consolidation and intensify biosecurity measures in addition to the ongoing vaccination against African swine fever (ASF) to fight the virus.

“The key to that is consolidation. Mayroon tayong ginagawa sa consolidation kasi pagka-backyard, mahirap kontrolin ‘yung biosecurity,” President Marcos said during Friday’s meeting with Regional Development Council III at the CSJDM Convention Center, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan on Friday.

“Di ba ‘yung plano natin, hopefully na mailagay natin in one secure — biosecure facility. I don’t know, mukhang mahirap, because most people don’t want to give up their animals,” he added.

Stressing the importance of biosecurity, the President said that even if the hogs are vaccinated, succeeding stocks will be exposed to the disease if the piggeries are not well-managed.

Agriculture Undersecretary-designate for Livestock Constante J. Palabrica assured the President that they are implementing biosecurity and informing farmers on handling such measures.

Palabrica said that 80 percent of the pigs are well-protected once vaccinated.

Palabrica also informed the President that the ASF situation is under control, noting that the ongoing vaccination has immunized 50,000 hogs.

“Regarding the vaccine, we have purchased around half a million ASF vaccines, and close to 200,000 now will be vaccinated, will be used here in Region 3,” he said.

“So far, we’re getting good results, and once the Bureau of Animal Industry could collate all the data, we will submit this to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) because under the MOU (memorandum of understanding) between BAI and FDA, we have to check for efficacy and effectivity of the vaccine.”

The data will be sent to the FDA for the modified release permit and a regular release, Palabrica added. | PND