CAGDIANAO, Province of Dinagat Islands – The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII under the National Livestock Program (NLP) and in partnership with the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of PDI in its war against African Swine Fever (ASF), conducted the Bantay ASF sa Barangay: Training on Biosecurity and Surveillance for Barangay Biosecurity Officers (BBOs) on August 23-24, 2023.

The two-day activity was participated by 24 BBOs which 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.

Dr. Aimee Jimeno, Provincial Veterinarian, emphasized that there is a great need for the knowledge and skills gained from the activity to be cascaded to the municipal agriculture offices down to the barangay level because of the serious fight against ASF. She added that through this training, MAOs would have a guide in the budgeting and identification of activities regarding ASF prevention and control.

This training is 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.