Roque: Procurement of vaccines vs. ASF delayed by COVID-19 vaccine purchase

The Philippine government’s planned procurement of a vaccine against anti-African swine fever (ASF) has been delayed, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Thursday.

Roque made the response when he was asked for updates on the procurement of vaccines against ASF by Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando since pork supply in the province has been scarce to none.

“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.

Roque, however, said the government has placed sufficient measures in place to address the ASF problem pending the deployment of ASF vaccines.

“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.

Based on Department of Agriculture records, the ASF has already wiped out four million pigs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, the National Capital Region is already facing pork and chicken supply woes, resulting in unabated price increases.

The pork and chicken supply problem also took a turn for the worse when vendors refused to sell their goods to avoid further losses as soon as the price ceiling imposed by the President took effect last February 8.

The Palace has already called for a pork summit to address such a problem. The summit, however, has yet to be scheduled.

On Wednesday, Colombian Ambassador to the Philippines Marcela Ordoñez told President Rodrigo Duterte that Colombia is willing to export pork and beef to the Philippines.

“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. — RSJ, GMA News