LOCAL government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were urged to utilize the Covid-19 checkpoints to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Cameron Odsey, regional director of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-CAR, said ASF cases are monitored in the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Kalinga.
Odsey, during a press briefer on August 14, said with the establishment of checkpoints for Covid-19, they also urged LGUs to use these 19 checkpoints to check the entry of pigs.
"We want to precisely use the Covid-19 checkpoints to limit iyong mga movement ng mga meat and meat products and even animals doon sa areas na may sakit papunta sa areas na wala namang sakit," he added.
Cordillera continues to have a low supply of hogs because its sufficiency level remains low with Baguio City getting its supply from lowland areas such as Ilocos and Central Luzon, while Tabuk City in Kalinga is reported to be at 30 percent pork sufficient.
In Benguet, the Provincial Veterinarian Office (PVET) earlier asked local hog raisers in ASF-free areas to protect their pigpens.
PVET said there should be limited visitors going into the pigpens, and for hog raisers to maintain cleanliness within the area.
At least 201 pigs were culled since last week of January to February this year, followed by 173 pigs from May to June and 135 pigs depopulated for the month of July.
ASF checkpoints were already set up long Kennon Road, Marcos Highway, San Pascual, all in Tuba; Bayabas in Sablan; Pito in Bokod; and Colalo in Mankayan.
