Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Thursday that the procurement of anti-African Swine Flu (ASF) vaccine has been delayed because the government prioritized the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Kasama po ‘yan (anti-ASF vaccine) sa whole of nation approach, naantala lang po ang deployment ng ASF vaccine kasi mataas po ang demand at mas inuna po iyong COVID-19 [vaccines],” Roque said when Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando asked him for updates regarding the ASF vaccines.
However, Roque assured that the government has implemented measures to address the ASF problem in the country while there are no available ASF vaccines yet.
“Meanwhile po, magbibigay po tayo ng insurance sa mga magbababoy para hindi po sila tuluyang malugi at magkaroon sila ng kumpiyansa na magsimula ulit pagkatapos nila masalanta ng ASF,” Roque said.
According to the Department of Agriculture records, about four million pigs amid were killed due to ASF during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, the National Capital Region and the rest of Luzon are facing a shortage in pork supply. The price of pork in the market also spiked, forcing the government to impose a price cap.
ASF vaccines from Vietnam
Last month, the Department of Agriculture is in contact with Vietnam for trials of African swine fever (ASF) vaccines.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that there is also a vaccine against ASF in Vietnam and they are already in contact with the country to have a trial here in the Philippines.
“Ang UK [United Kingdom] din na last year pa, nagpapasabi tayo na kung available na ito ay mag-trial din tayo sa bansa at ganoon din sa Vietnam. We are now touching base with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food sa Vietnam para agad-agad ay mai-trial at magamit na yung bakuna para sa ASF,” said Dar.
On Wednesday, Colombian Ambassador to the Philippines Marcela Ordoñez said that Colombia is open to export pork and beef products to the Philippines amid the products’ price increase in the country.
“We are interested in selling pork meat and beef to the Philippines and we would welcome, Mr. President, any support you can give us to accelerate the admissibility process,” she said.