The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to commence its long-awaited African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccination campaign on August 30, starting in Lobo, Batangas, an area heavily affected by the virus.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel announced that the campaign faced delays due to charges filed against some officials from the Bureau of Animal Industry in the Ombudsman.
African Swine Fever, a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs, was first detected in the Philippines in 2019.
The virus, which originated in Africa and spread to various countries, devastated the local swine industry, leading to significant economic losses and a sharp decline in pork supply.
The DA aims to curb the spread of ASF by administering an initial 10,000 doses of the vaccine, funded by the government.
Secretary Laurel clarified that participation in the vaccination program will be voluntary for hog raisers.