BULANAO NORTE ASF-FREE! But confirmed, suspected cases monitored elsewhere in Tabuk

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Barangay Bulanao Norte remains negative for African Swine Fever (ASF) and has not been placed under lockdown, even as suspected and confirmed ASF cases are being monitored in other parts of Tabuk City, City Veterinarian Dr. Carmen Wanas said.

Wanas made the clarification during the joint committee hearing of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committees on Trade and Industry and Agriculture on September 3, where lawmakers discussed proposed measures involving livestock, hog prices and meat products.

The hearing primarily sought to examine the relationship between two proposed ordinances, but discussions also touched on ASF concerns and the need to regulate the movement of hogs while protecting the livelihood of raisers, meat vendors and consumers.

‘Bulanao Norte remains negative’

Wanas explained that a barangay is placed under lockdown once an ASF case is confirmed in the area.

Since no ASF case has been confirmed in Bulanao Norte, she said there is currently no basis to place the barangay under lockdown.

“Nu ti barangay ket positive ti ASF, ada ti issuance tayo ti lockdown iti barangay. So negative pailang ti Bulanao Norte, sunga haan pailang nailockdown,” Wanas said.

She also explained that ASF may not immediately produce obvious symptoms in an infected pig. Signs may become more apparent only when the disease has progressed, making proper inspection and testing important, particularly before pigs are brought to slaughterhouses.

Wanas said a pig was previously allowed to enter a slaughterhouse because it had the required documents, including a barangay certificate.

“Idi sinumrek dayta, ada ti papel na, nakastrek diay slaughter house. Kasi nu nakaban or nakalocdown iti barangay haan mi tanggapen iti baboy,” she said.

Pigs showing signs of illness may be subjected to ASF testing, she added.

Wanas stressed that the City Veterinary Office does not declare a pig positive for ASF without testing or sufficient basis.

“Never mi nga ibaga nga ada ASF ti baboy nu haan kami nga test, nu awan ti basis mi,” she said.

ASF cases monitored elsewhere

While Bulanao Norte remains negative, Wanas said the city is monitoring suspected and confirmed ASF cases in other areas of Tabuk.

She said she had already informed the city mayor about the ASF concerns, prompting monitoring efforts across the city.

“...nagreport nakun kenni Mayor about the concerns of ASF around, nag monitor tayo all around Tabuk, ada nga talagan suspected and confirmed cases,” Wanas said.

However, Wanas did not provide during the hearing the number of suspected or confirmed cases or identify the specific barangays involved.

Vet chief seeks ‘reasonable’ measures

Amid the discussion, Wanas urged lawmakers and stakeholders to adopt measures that address ASF concerns without placing an unreasonable burden on people whose livelihoods depend on the hog and meat industry.

She said her perspective is also shaped by her experience as a hog raiser, meat vendor and consumer.

“Ti dawat ko lang ken wish ko lang, agsabat kayon iti maymaysa nga justifiable, reasonable, affordable. Para kanyak gamin, im speaking as hog raiser, meat vendor, and kas consumer,” she said.

Two proposed ordinances discussed

The joint hearing was held following the introduction of a proposed ordinance seeking to establish a minimum farmgate price for liveweight hogs produced and sold in Tabuk City.

The proposed measure would establish a minimum farmgate price and provide guidelines on fair weighing, payment, market monitoring and support for hog producers. It was proposed by Councilor Atty. Errol B. Comafay Jr.

The committees also discussed an earlier proposed ordinance regulating the prices of livestock, poultry, meat and meat products in Tabuk City and imposing penalties for violations.

The earlier measure, principally authored by Councilor Juan Thomas T. Duyan, with Councilors Ivann Yannick S. Bagayao, Marc Rainier B. Dugiang, Eduardo A. Sacayle and Zorayda Mia M. Wacnang as co-authors, had already been approved and accepted following a series of committee meetings and was being prepared for second reading.

With the introduction of the new farmgate-price proposal, the Committees on Trade and Industry and Agriculture agreed to hold a joint meeting to determine how the two measures relate and to finalize the earlier ordinance.

The hearing was attended by city officials and representatives from the agriculture and veterinary offices, public market, meat vendors, hog raisers, livestock groups and consumers.

Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, including Comafay, Duyan, Wacnang, Sacayle and Councilor Abraham Licaycay, led the discussions.