The Quezon City Government has maintained that there is no detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) cases in the city as it intensified its extensive prevention measures.
In support of the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) initiative to curb ASF, the QC Veterinary Department (QCVD) has set up livestock and poultry checkpoints in Pearl Drive in Commonwealth Avenue, Kaingin Road in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue – Tandang Sora Avenue, and Paang Bundok in N.S. Amoranto.
The QCVD and BAI personnel check and validate that all livestock shipments passing through and entering the city have the necessary documents to ensure they are ASF-free.
Since the establishment of the checkpoints last week, the QCVD has inspected a total of 502 shipments, which all came from the provinces of Batangas and Quezon. Of the 502, 452 shipments were released, and 46 were returned to origin due to lack of documents.
Four shipments were apprehended. A total of 188 pigs tested positive with ASF, which then were culled and buried in another province.
The BAI and QCVD also held 153 swine for testing, as the pigs are exhibiting signs and are suspected to be contaminated by ASF.
“As a highly-urbanized city, bawal ang piggery at livestock sa Quezon City kaya pinaiigting natin ang inspeksyon. Minabuti nating tumulong sa BAI para matiyak na hindi kumalat ang virus sa ibang lugar para hindi makaapekto at makapaminsala sa kabuhayan ng ating QCitizens,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
Aside from the checkpoints, city veterinarians also conduct regular inspections in markets and groceries.
“Hindi natatapos sa checkpoints ‘yung assistance natin sa BAI. Pati mga karneng baboy sa mga palengke at grocery, chine-check din natin ‘yung certifications para masigurado talaga na walang ASF-contained pork na makakapasok at maibebenta sa lungsod,” City Veterinarian Dr. Ana Marie Cabel explained.
In addition, the city will provide BAI a two-hectare property as a holding area for trucks carrying hogs.
In 2020, the city government and the QC Council passed and implemented City Ordinance 2990-2020 banning piggeries and poultry farms for food or meat production.
Quezon City, classified as a highly urbanized city, is prohibited from having piggery and poultry as stated in Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Resolution No. R-674, S-2000.
The Ordinance imposes a penalty of P2,000 and imprisonment of three months, or both at the discretion of the court, for the first offense. Second-time violators will receive a fine of P3,000 and five months of imprisonment. For the third offense, a fine of P5,000 and one year imprisonment will be meted out.
As this developed, Belmonte asked backyard hog growers to voluntarily surrender the pigs immediately. The city will provide financial assistance to owners in exchange for these pigs and turn them over to the Department of Agriculture. Penalties will only be imposed on owners who have not complied with this directive by August 31.
“Napagalaman ng lungsod na mayroon pa ring ilang residente na nag-aalaga ng baboy bilang kabuhayan. Pero tayo ay may ordinansa kaya hindi ito pwede. Kaya nananawagan po ako sa mga QCitizen na i-turnover ito sa lungsod. Sa tulong din ng QC Council, titiyakin namin na mabibigyan ng suporta at maaalalayan ang mga apektadong residente,” Mayor Belmonte added.
Once the pigs are determined to be ASF-free, they will be turned over to the Department of Agriculture to be sold in Kadiwa Stores. If contaminated, the swine will be culled and buried.
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