DA Sets 6 Mobile Labs To Monitor ASF

Agriculture Secretary William Dar has given the green light to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for the establishment of six mobile laboratory units (MLU) to aid the efforts of the government to manage, control, and contain the African Swine Fever (ASF).

Photo Insert: In line with the ongoing efforts versus ASF and other transboundary animal diseases, the DA has formed alliances with private groups, including a group of veterinarians and scientists, who form the BioAssets Diagnostic Clinic, located in Batangas.

The MLUs, with a total cost of P100 million, will be deployed in ASF-affected regions on or before March 31, 2022. Each MLU can provide services to any local government unit (LGU), where there is ASF incidence and other animal diseases.

It may also serve as a mobile veterinary school to train LGU personnel in disease detection, prevention, and monitoring.

“The mobile labs form part of the Duterte government’s leveled-up measures to revive the country’s hog industry and maintain a healthy animal sector,” said Secretary Dar.

Aside from the MLUs, the BAI in partnership with DA Regional Field Offices (RFOs) manages the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) capable of testing and determining animal diseases through RT-PCR.

According to BAI Director Reildrin Morales, “these laboratories just need to optimize processes to further strengthen the country’s animal diagnostic infrastructure.”

“Under the DA’s Quick Response Fund (QRF), we have procured and distributed P100M-worth of RT-PCR test kits to LGUs nationwide,” Morales said.

In line with the ongoing efforts versus ASF and other transboundary animal diseases, the DA has formed alliances with private groups, including a group of veterinarians and scientists, who form the BioAssets Diagnostic Clinic, located in Batangas.

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