BHW Party-list Representative Angelica Natasha Co, Vice-Chair of the Appropriations and Health Committees, emphasized the need for enhanced defenses against African swine fever (ASF), foot and mouth disease (FMD), and bird flu.
Co proposed measures to support livestock raisers, particularly backyard animal raisers, in protecting their animals from these diseases.
The legislator’s statement comes after the news of the conclusion of the safety and efficacy trial of the vaccine for African Swine Fever (ASF) developed in Vietnam.
“Ang mga commercial hog raisers ay maaaring bigyan ng partial subsidy upang hindi na ipasa sa mga nagtitinda at mga mamimili ang gastos sa pagbabakuna.”
“Marami tayong mga kababayan na pawang mga backyard animal raisers at hiling kong maprotektahan sila mula sa mataas na presyo ng bakuna. Dapat ibigay na ng libre ng gobyerno ang ASF vaccines sa kanila. Samantala, ang mga commercial hog raisers ay maaaring bigyan ng partial subsidy upang hindi na ipasa sa mga nagtitinda at mga mamimili ang gastos sa pagbabakuna,” the lawmaker explained.
She highlighted the importance of viewing the vaccination of swine livestock as a public service.
By participating in the vaccination campaign, livestock raisers contribute to advancing public safety and consumer welfare. Hence, subsidizing the vaccine costs becomes justified.
“To further enhance biohazard defenses, I call for anti-microbial washdowns or treatment of tires at seaports and other strategic points.”
To further enhance biohazard defenses, Co called for anti-microbial washdowns or treatment of tires at seaports and other strategic points.
She expressed concern over the insufficiency of footwear baths for people at seaports, noting that they are sometimes ineffective due to dryness.
“It is perplexing that people are required to step on footwear bath mats, yet there are no equivalent biohazard measures for motor vehicles’ tires, which often carry more mud and microbes than people’s footwear,” Co concluded.
