The Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) headed by Dr. Fritzie Paler Provido, recently hosted an Information Caravan of the National African Swine Fever (ASF) Prevention and Control Program held at Tubod Business Community and Cooperative (TBCC) Multiplex Building, Municipality of Tubod on October 4, 2022.  

The forum aims to strengthen information dissemination and public awareness about the die-hard virus, especially in the province’s Local Government Units (LGUs), elaborating on the role of every barangay in the prevention and containment if such a virus is detected.   The Department of Agriculture (DA), headed by Dr. Mary Jovy B. Chavez, facilitated the said forum, attended by the different municipal and barangay officials and private sectors.  

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member and Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Reinario Bihag graced the forum on behalf of Governor Imelda ‘Angging’ Dela Cruz Quibranza, saying, “I am very happy and thankful that they chose the Province of Lanao del Norte for this caravan. It’s a great help because some of the municipality’s hog racers were affected by the ASF, particularly in Tubod.  

Various Vetenerarian Doctors representing the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National African Swine Fever Prevention and Control Program (NASFPCP), and DA-RFO X, Rhea Vilma Chui and John Carl Anito, also shed light on the importance of the prevention of spreading ASF as it is a highly contagious disease.

The unprecedented spread of ASF in the country since the first outbreak in 2019 is still of considerable concern to the livestock industry and threatens national food security.   “We are pleased that we are really getting somewhere in educating the public on the effects of ASF,” Dr. Provido said. PIO-LDN