Duterte directs all gov’t agencies to act vs ASF spread

October 24, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all concerned government agencies to ensure African Swine Fever would no longer spread in other parts of the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Office of the President, through the initiative of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, is directing all executive departments, bureaus, agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions and other instrumentalities of the government "to coordinate, as well as to adopt policies and institute measures to manage, contain and control the transmission of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country."

Cases of ASF among hogs and even in processed pork products have been reported in some parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

Panelo said Medialdea also directed all concerned and responsible government offices to provide assistance, alternative livelihood and skills training to those affected by ASF.

He said the Office of the President also implores the public to extend their utmost cooperation to government authorities in order to prevent the spread of the swine disease. Celerina Monte/DMS