The Philippine government must be quick on its feet to secure its supply of African swine fever (ASF) vaccines for the local hogs industry.
"Sana ay umaksyon agad ang pamahalaan para makakuha ng supply at maipamahagi ito sa ating mga stakeholder sa lalong madaling panahon (Hopefully our government acts immediately to secure supply so that it may be distributed to our stakeholders as soon as possible)," AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee said in a statement Wednesday, March 8.
Lee made this appeal even as he noted that ASF continues to decimate the local hog population since its resurgence in 2018.
"Makakatulong ang nationwide vaccination drive para matulungan ang ating mga hog raiser na labanan ang pagkalat ng ASF. Kagaya ng matagumpay na pagtugon natin sa Covid-19 sa pamamagitan ng pagbabakuna, naniniwala tayong epektibong solusyon din ito para sa ASF (A nationwide vaccination drive will be of huge help to our hog raisers in the fight against ASF. We believe that just like our response against Covid-19, vaccination will be an effective solution against ASF)," Lee said.
Local agriculture product KPP Powers Commodities is currently conducting safety and efficacy trials using the AVAC ASF Live Vaccine developed by AVAC Vietnam Co. Ltd. in four farms in the country. The clinical trials, which are expected to be completed in April, is being done under the supervision of the Bureau of Animal Industry.
According to recent reports, the Vietnamese government will soon start nationwide distribution of the AVAC ASF vaccine after producing highly favorable results from more than 600,000 doses administered in field trials since July 2022.
The AGRI Party-list lawmaker highlighted the urgency of ASF vaccination, as he said ASF has caused supply shortfalls that have resulted in the jacking up of pork prices. This, in turn, has an effect on inflation, he added.
"Winner Tayo Lahat kung masusugpo natin ang ASF sa bansa. Hindi lang ang livestock industry, kundi pati pamilyang Pilipino na hirap sa presyo ng mga bilihin ay mabibigyan ng ginhawa (Eradicating ASF in the country will be a victory for us all. Not just the livestock industry, but even Filipino families that are struggling to make ends meet will find some relief)," the solon also said.