Various training and other extension activities to combat the African Swine Fever (ASF) were conducted by ATI-RTC 10 for the first semester of the year. In January and February this year, 51 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) attended the Bantay ASF sa Barangay Biosecurity and Surveillance Lecture given by Resource Persons coming from the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners (PCSP). PCSP is an active private organization of swine raisers, researchers, and professionals from Batangas who is helping the government in fighting ASF. After the general orientation, nine batches of Quantum Graphic Information System (QGIS) Trainings were conducted from March - April for AEWs and LGU staff from Planning or DRRMC so that mapping of existing swine growers can be conducted.
A total of 212 participants attended the training. Just recently, the 10th and last batch of Training on Specimen Collection and Farm Level Biosecurity were conducted in Camiguin. The training aims to capacitate the participants who are AEWs and designated Barangay Biosecurity Officers all over the region in collecting specimens in pigs and how to attain at least a Level 1 Biosecurity Certification. Also, a part of the training is the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation who introduced their Insurance for ASF-affected farms. During the conduct of the Trainings, Resource persons came from DA-RFO 10, ProVet of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, and ATI-RTC 10.
The African Swine Fever has devastated the swine industry all over the Philippines. For Region 10, the Provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte have already reported cases together with the Highly Urbanized Cities f Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. Luckily, Bukidnon, Camiguin, and Misamis Occidental have remained green zones. Border controls for these provinces were already in place. Legislations have also been enacted. The capacitation of its implementors is a big help towards the prevention of ASF in entering the green zones and the eradication of the virus disease from the red zones.
