The Provincial Government, in its steadfast commitment to combat African Swine Fever (ASF), continues to train Barangay Biosecurity Officers (BBOs) to ensure effective prevention and control measures.
To facilitate seamless implementation and coordination of initiatives against ASF, the Provincial Veterinary Office continues to train more BBOs in response to the threat of ASF in the province. A total of 434 BBOs have been trained and deputized across the province, serving as the frontline defenders against ASF within their respective communities.
In its latest training effort, the Provincial Veterinary Office capacitated municipal livestock technicians from eleven LGUs through three-day training sessions, in close collaboration with the Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center VIII. In the coming months, the PVO aims to intensify capability-building efforts, targeting an additional 416 trained BBOs from selected municipalities.
Dr. Faith C. Tenedero, ASF Program Coordinator, emphasized the critical role of Barangay Biosecurity Officers at the local level. "With regards sine nga training, pinakaimportante gud an early reporting kay dida naton makokontrol an pagwarak san sakit kun nahihireport dayon, kapag waray kasi reporting minsan nahihibaroan nala namon after two months na, ubos na an baboy sa area" she emphasized.
The training of Barangay Biosecurity Officers aligns with the Department of Agriculture's "Batay ASF sa Barangay" program, employing a community-based approach to prevent, control, and manage ASF using sound epidemiological principles and available technology, such as ASF rapid test kits, through the cooperation of Local Government Units (LGUs) and swine raisers.
As ASF continues to impact the swine production sector in the province, the Provincial Government, under Governor Edwin Ongchuan's Development Agenda or Sustained Progress, remains proactive in empowering local governance to collaborate effectively for the recovery of the hog industry, ensuring livelihood and agricultural economic sustainability.
