RESIDENTS in Monkayo, Davao de Oro were advised to avoid cooking, selling and consuming pork until January 6, 2021, after another confirmed case of African Swine Flu (ASF) was reported on New Year’s Eve.
In a statement on Thursday, December 31, 2020, Mayor Ramil Lao Gentugaya ordered the closure of meat sections of public markets and a slaughterhouse from January 1 to 6 after the Monkayo Local ASF Task Force said the test results of a hog that was supposed to be slaughtered came back positive for the ASF virus.
According to the Monkayo government, the ASF Task Force received reports that the hog, which was supposed to be slaughtered at the Municipal Agriculturist Office (Magro) Complex, showed symptoms of the deadly hog virus.
The confirmatory test result came on December 31.
This prompted the local government to immediately close the meat section of the public market and the slaughterhouse beginning January 1 until January 6.
"Kini aron mahatagan ug panahon ang disinfection activities aron malikayan ang dugang kaso o pagkalat niini sa atong lungsod (This is to give way for the disinfection activities to prevent the further spread of the hog virus in our town)," Gentugaya said.
The mayor also ordered the prohibition of transporting, cooking and selling pork during the period.
"Likayan usab usa nato ang pag-consume sa mga karneng baboy sulod sa maong timeframe (Let us refrain from consuming hogs during the said timeframe)," Gentugaya said.
The local government also asked hog owners and meat stall vendors to coordinate with Magro and the Economic Enterprise Management Office if their hogs manifest symptoms linked to ASF for proper action.
The Provincial Government of Davao de Oro revealed that the ASF had reached the province of Davao de Oro on November 20, 2020, causing the death of seven hogs in Barangay Kingking, Pantukan.
On November 23, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Rolando Simene confirmed the presence of the ASF virus from the samples of dead hogs in Barangay Siocon, Compostela.
To save the P 1.8-billion industry of the province, Simene advised hog raisers to educate, place biosecurity measures, and conduct periodic disinfection in their area.
“In every crisis, or disaster, there is also an opportunity. Katong magpadayon sa baboyan, ipadayon jud ninyo kay wala nay baboy sa Manila. Ningkunhod na ang supply sa baboy. Kung magkulang ang supply tas motaas ang demand, siyempre motaas ang presyo,” he said.
(In every crisis, or disaster, there is also an opportunity. To those who will continue their piggery business, do so. The supply of pigs is dwindling. Where there is a lack of supply and the demand is high, of course, the prices will rise.)
(With reports from PIA)