PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – In partnership with the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Agusan del Sur in its war against African Swine Fever (ASF), the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII under the National Livestock Program (NLP) conducted Bantay ASF sa Barangay: Training on Biosecurity and Surveillance for Barangay Biosecurity Officers (BBOs) on April 17-18, 2023 at Hygeia IntegraMeds Center – FDAI.

The two-day activity was participated by 19 BBOs. It aims to capacitate the BBOs to gain additional knowledge and skills on specimen collection for laboratory testing, appropriate handling of specimen and restraining techniques, and preparation of animals for collection.

This is also a part of the Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) Program which aims to prevent and control the spread of ASF in the infected areas; and protect pockets of smallholder and commercial farms in barangays, municipalities, and cities that are still ASF free. It will also complement the Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) control program in providing business continuity and assisting swine farm repopulation.

Topics were discussed by Konielou M. Berdin, Veterinarian IV, and Easter Rose D. Nono, Veterinarian II, both from the province’s PVO. Moreover, Lilibeth L. Manzano, Insurance Underwriter from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) talked about swine mortality insurance.

“The topics discussed by the speakers really helped. I now have a better understanding of how ASF could be handled in the locality for safety with the support from the government,” said Roldan C. Lejarso, one of the participants from Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.