THE Regional Inter-agency ASF Task Force has intensified its measures to safeguard Northern Mindanao from African Swine Fever (ASF).

Department of Agriculture (DA)-Northern Mindanao officer-in-charge Director Carlene Collado, who is also the chairman of the task force, has approved four resolutions to combat the threat of ASF in Mindanao.

The resolution comprises the request for Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to deploy staff in the priority identified entry points in five provinces of Northern Mindanao for its 24-hour operation.

The request also includes the local government executives to augment personnel to be stationed at each identified entry points in the region.

The DA should also provide stand-by indemnification funds; additional requirements for border protect -- air and sea ports, and sniffing dogs for use by the Bureau of Animal Industry-National Veterinary Quarantine Services (BAI) in Northern Mindanao.

According to DA, the region is facing the threat of ASF and this will greatly affect the hog industry of the region, given the outbreaks in neighboring Mindanao regions.

"For the meantime, Region 10 is African Swine Fever-free," Collado said.