President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered Department of Agriculture (DA) officials to intensify livestock consolidation and ramp up biosecurity measures in addition to the ongoing vaccination against African swine fever (ASF).

“The key to that is consolidation. We’re doing something in consolidating because, if it is in the backyard, it’s hard to control biosecurity,” Marcos said during a meeting with the Regional Development Council III at the CSJDM Convention Center in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, on Friday.

“Isn’t that our plan? Hopefully, we can put them in one secure, biosecure facility. I don’t know, it seems difficult because most people don’t want to give up their animals,” he added.

He noted that if hogs are not properly managed, even with vaccinations, ASF would continue to spread.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Undersecretary-designate for Livestock Constante Palabrica assured Marcos that the DA is implementing biosecurity measures and informing farmers on how to carry them out.

He said that 80 percent of the hog population in the region will be well-protected once vaccinated.

Palabrica also reported to Marcos that the ASF situation is under control, noting that the ongoing vaccination has immunized 50,000 hogs.

“Regarding the vaccine, we have purchased around half a million ASF vaccines, and close to 200,000 will be vaccinated here in Region 3,” he said.

“So far, we’re getting good results, and once the Bureau of Animal Industry can collate all the data, we will submit this to the Food and Drug Administration. Under the memorandum of understanding between BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) we have to check for the efficacy and effectiveness of the vaccine,” he added.

According to the DA official, data will be sent to the FDA for the modified release permit and a regular release.