Provincial Capitol building of Sarangani. (File photo courtesy of the provincial government)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of Sarangani has established additional quarantine checkpoints in its border areas and other strategic sites in a bid to prevent the entry of the dreaded African swine fever (ASF).
Dr. Bernard Cababat, acting head of the Provincial Veterinary Office, on Monday said they have already activated at least 14 quarantine posts in major highways and border areas within its seven municipalities in the wake of the ASF outbreak in the neighboring Davao Occidental province.
Cababat said the additional checkpoints were aimed at augmenting the four major posts located in Barangays Malungon Gamay, Malungon town, Batulaki in Glan, Maribulan in Alabel, and Tinoto in Maasim.
The newest quarantine posts were put up last week in Barangay Malandag, Malungon and in Barangays Baliton and Kapatan in Glan.
Cababat said they are also considering establishing additional inspection sites in several “strategic areas” such as in Barangays Banate, San Juan, Lumabat and Panamin in Malungon, and Datal Anggas in Alabel.
“These areas are the entry points to Sarangani from the municipalities of Sta. Maria, Don Marcelino and Malita in Davao Occidental,” he said in a statement.
Cababat said they are ready to put up additional checkpoints in its borders with Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato provinces in case of ASF outbreaks in the said areas.
The province is currently under temporary lockdown due to the ASF outbreak in Davao Occidental.
All live hogs, imported/local pork and pork-related products from Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, and other areas with ASF cases are prohibited from entering the province based on an executive order issued on Feb. 3 by Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon.
The provincial government has deployed at least 48 personnel to ensure round-the-clock surveillance in the animal checkpoints.
Cababat said they have tied up with the City Veterinary Office here for manpower and provision of supplies for their joint checkpoint in Alabel town. He said the Department of Agriculture provided disinfectants, boots, coolers, and other gears necessary for the animal checkpoints.
As of Monday, Cababat said the province remains free from ASF based on the results of the latest surveillance in its border areas in Malungon and Glan.
He said at least 40 hogs that were tested in three barangays have turned out negative from the disease. These barangays were Malandag, Lutay, and Kinabalan, which share borders with Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental. (PNA)
