4,586 pigs culled so far in QC’s fight against African swine fever
By Chito Chavez
The Quezon City Veterinary Office reported that 4,586 pigs have so far been culled in the city as of October 3 in the city government’s continuing bid to prevent the spread of the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF).
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
City Veterinary chief Dr. Ana Marie Cabel appealed to city hog raisers, especially to backyard hog owners, to report to them if any of their pigs would show signs of uneasiness or any form of sickness.
With some backyard pig raisers defiant to submit their pigs for inspection, Cabel urged them to give in to the government’s call as a sign of patriotism in helping the city prevent the spread of the ASF ailment.
She noted that City Mayor Joy Belmonte will provide them with a financial assistance of P3,000 for each pig culled to help them cope with their financial burden.
Being an urban area, Belmonte earlier insisted that hog-raising should be prohibited in Quezon City as lenient enforcement of existing laws in the past could have paved the way for them to engage in the piggery business.
Cabel said that the city veterinary office has its hands full in monitoring the piggeries in Barangay Payatas where 3,188 pigs were already culled from September 22 to October 3.
Aside from Barangay Payatas, Cabel said Barangay Bagong Silangan was severely affected by the ASF disease as 999 hogs were culled from September 15 to October 3.
But recently, Cabel said the ASF disease has reached Barangays Tatalon and Pasong Tamo.
Records at the Quezon City Veterinary Office revealed that 106 pigs from Barangay Tatalon were culled from September 28 to October 1.
The report noted that 303 pogs were also culled from September 29 to October 3 in Barangay Pasong Tamo.
To recall, Belmonte has issued an advisory that guides local consumers on how to buy safe pork meat.
The advisory was issued despite assurances from the city government that pork being sold in the local markets are free from African Swine Fever (ASF).
She said as an additional safeguard and to allay public fears an advisory to consumers on how to purchase safe meat ws issued.
“As they say, being forewarned is forearmed. Dobleng pag-iingat at pagbabantay ang kailangan upang hindi tayo malusutan ng mga karneng may ASF at hindi malagay sa alanganin ang ating kalusugan (We have to be totally careful and always be on guard to ensure that no ASF tainted meat will sold that would risk public health),’’said Belmonte.
Belmonte asked local residents to “look for meat inspection certificates to ensure that meat being sold underwent thorough examination by meat inspectors.’’
In addition, Belmonte said consumers must also look for stamp from slaughterhouses as proof that meat slaughtered is healthy and fit for human consumption.
She called on consumers to report pork outlets selling meat without meat inspection certificates and proof from slaughterhouses with the City Veterinary Office (988-4242 loc 8036) for immediate confiscation and disposal.
“Kailangan ng lungsod ang tulong ng mga mamimili para matiyak na walang naibebentang karne sa mga palengke na may ASF. Huwag kayong mag-atubiling isumbong sa amin ang mga nagbebenta nang walang kaukulang papel (The city government needs the consumer’s help to ensure that no ASF tainted meat are sold in the market. Do not be hesitant to report to us anybody selling meat without the proper documentation),” she added.
Cabel also assured that all of the city’s major markets and slaughterhouses have 24-hour checkpoints to assure that meat being sold and slaughtered is safe.
Aside from checkpoints, Cabel added that meat inspectors are assigned in various markets and slaughterhouses to regularly check on the meat being sold and slaughtered.
Belmonte has also ordered the implementation of various safety measures to ensure that the pork being sold in markets is safe following the confirmation that several pigs from Barangays Payatas and Bagong Silangan were tested positive for ASF.
The city government has allotted P10 million for the financial assistance to hog raisers who will voluntarily surrender their live pigs for culling.
Cabel warned that hog raisers, who refuse to have their pigs culled, could be arrested and charged for violation of Sec. 103 in relation to Sec. 85 (f) of the Sanitation Code or “maintaining an animal stockage in a manner injurious to health.”
She explained those who “interfere with, hinder or oppose” government agents enforcing the Sanitation Code could face up to six months imprisonment
Hog raisers who refuse to cooperate could also be charged for violation of Sec. 38 in relation to relation to Sec. 37 of the Food Safety Act or handling or offering unsafe or banned food, which carries a penalty of six-month imprisonment.
“We call on our hog raisers to voluntarily surrender their hogs to avail of the local government’s financial assistance of P3,000 per pig,” said Belmonte.