Capiz creates task force vs. African Swine Fever

By: Jemin B. Guillermo

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Capiz provincial government created a task force that will enforce control measures to prevent he entry and spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province.

Governor Esteban Evan B. Contreras issued Executive Order No. 008-2019 creating the Capiz Provincial African Swine Fever Task Force (CPASFTF).

The EO spells out the composition, functions and other related measures to fully implement and enforce control measures to prevent entry and spread of ASF in the province.

Contreras heads the Task Force with the Provincial Veterinarian as executive officer.

The members of the Task Force include the head of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Traffic Management Group, Aviation Security Command, Maritime Command, Land Transportation Office, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Ports Authority, and Philippine Information Agency.

Other members of the group are the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Capiz Emergency Response Team, Provincial Engineer and Staff, Provincial Agriculturist, city and municipal mayors, city veterinarian, municipal agriculturists, veterinarians of Capiz State University, barangay captains and officials, and stakeholders.

Based on the Executive Order, the task force’s functions include movement control and manning of entry or exit points to check possible illegal transport of swine; mandatory test and slaughter of all pigs; farm shutdown, quarantine and isolation; slaughter of infected pigs in infected premises; destruction and disposal of infected carcasses and materials; and decontamination and disinfection.

The surveillance and movement control will take effect at the Quarantine Zone, while movement control such as surveillance and Infected Zones only, will be done in the Surveillance Zone.

The Regional Veterinary Quarantine Services recently confiscated pork products from China at the Kalibo International Airport. The products tested positive for ASF.

Noting the proximity of Aklan to Capiz, the confiscation of ASF-infected pork products is a major threat to the local swine industry here, hence the need to prevent the entry and spread of ASF virus in the province. (PIA)