By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
OVER P125-M losses, 11,056 swine deaths – all in Negros Occidental.
The right term: Alarming!
Alas, Acting Provincial Veterinarian Placeda “Doc Ada” Lemana can’t be heard.
So unusual to note. Negros mayors are wondering: What’s happening at the Capitol?
With increasing pig mortalities – 12 confirmed cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) now in Victorias City (nine), Bacolod City (two) and Pulupandan (one) – Doc Ada is supposed to be on top of the situation. But it is Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II, a lawyer, who does the talking.
A veterinarian is needed to explain the current situation. Hog cholera and ASF are now gripping the province. Negros needs scientific methodologies and approaches, not statutes or legal opinions to address the issue.
Levi Strauss, a German-born American businessman, said: “An expert knows all the answers – if we all ask the right questions.”
Let Doc Ada explain the “unwanted phenom”. Let her offer the best solutions.
PALPAH
Too, what happened to the Provincial Animal Learning Park and Animal Hospital (PALPAH) at Panaad Park in Mansilingan, Bacolod City? It was blessed and inaugurated just this April 17, 2023.
PALPAH was patterned after the Office International de Epizooties (OIE) founded by the World Organization for Animal Health in 1924. It’s very purpose – for research and diagnostic.
Diaz, in a previous interview, said PALPAH is an integrated animal laboratory equipped with advanced apparatuses to conduct reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test that can detect ASF.
Besides, the six districts in the province each have animal health centers (AHC) that serve as PALPAH’s extensions.
Questions:
* Why isn’t PALPAH heard now?
* What’s the use of it and the AHCs amid swine deaths?
* Why do some mayors still send pig blood samples to the BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry) in Quezon City?
The province spent millions of pesos for the PALPAH and AHCs.
‘NOT IN HARMONY’
Another notable thing is that Negros mayors aren’t “in harmony” with capitol right now.
Previously, during COVID-19 pandemic, everything was coordinated with the capitol. All updates were centralized – “One Negros. One Voice. One Action.”
But with hog cholera and ASF, what’s happening? Mansig-mansig!
Worse, it seems that the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas can’t intervene on the problem. Regional Executive Director Albert Barrogo can’t be reached for comment.
What is “starring” right now is the province’s Incident Management Team (IMT). It introduced color coding in areas hit with swine deaths then set up quarantine zones.
The mayors aren’t satisfied with IMT but can’t dispute with the capitol. Only Pulapandan, Bacolod City and Victorias City “dared” to bring blood samples of their dead pigs to BAI to determine the real cause.
ADAMANT
Despite the 12 confirmed ASF cases, Gov. Lacson remains adamant to declare an ASF outbreak.
Prior to his Mindanao trip (this week), the governor said: “We have a lot of healthy pigs around, that’s why let’s not be quick in declaring an ASF [situation].”
“We should be compassionate with our hog raisers,” he added.
The governor stressed that the province is already taking measures. “We have been following the BAI protocols.”
On June 6, however, Mayor Javi Benitez of Victorias City held a press conference. With their City Veterinarian Michael John Cabugwason, Benitez declared they have nine confirmed ASF cases.
Such declaration was tantamount to “breaching” capitol’s protocols on pig deaths. But the governor and Diaz refused to comment.
Meanwhile, the cities of Kabankalan and Cadiz were the latest to register pig deaths in their area. Kabankalan has 181 cases both from barangays Daan Banwa and Binicuil. Cadiz, on the other hand, has 150 heads worth P1.8M.
As of press time, no confirmation yet if pig deaths in Kabankalans and Cadiz were ASF-related.
On June 8, OPV’s Consolidated Report revealed there were already 11,056 swine deaths in the province. Estimated losses: P125.341 million, OPV added.
Topping the list of localities with lots of swine mortalities are those in the 4th Congressional District. They’re Bago City, La Carlota City, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Pontevedra, and Valladolid. But San Enrique town incurred the highest losses at P29.775 million, said OPV.
So where are the experts?/PN
