THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday that Batangas municipalities may need to declare an emergency to facilitate the release of funds to obtain African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccines.
“Local government units may need to declare a state of emergency to enable the DA to respond swiftly to the situation and release funds for the urgent purchase of vaccines,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said in a statement.
The DA noted that active ASF cases have been recorded in Lobo, Lian, Rosario, Calatagan, and Lipa City, Batangas.
Constance J. Palabrica, assistant secretary for Poultry and Swine, said that the DA estimates the need for vaccines at about 10,000 doses.
The DA’s Bids and Awards Committee and Bureau of Animal Industry will draft the resolution which will set in motion the emergency procurement process, shortening the regular procurement period to around two weeks.
The DA is currently collaborating with local officials in enforcing movement restrictions to prevent the spread of infected animals.
The DA has said that it is planning a limited rollout of the AVAC ASF Live Vaccine from Vietnam by the third quarter.
It has allocated P350 million for the trial, funding about 600,000 vials. — Adrian H. Halili
