ADM recently supported the biosecurity training sessions for Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BABay ASF) project volunteers in Northern Mindanao.

BABay ASF is a proactive biosecurity, surveillance and repopulation effort led by the Philippine College of Swine Practitioners (PCSP), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and its partners from the private and public sectors. This interdisciplinary program aims to stop the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) and revive both backyard and commercial swine farmers’ livelihoods.

Aiming to gear up the BABay ASF Volunteers, a training session, dedicated for the trainers, was held last January with the help of the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ICTPH). The first group was composed of volunteers from ADM, the Provincial Veterinarian’s Office (PVO) of Misamis Oriental, and the City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO) of Iligan.

“From biosecurity measures to basic safety protocols all the way to testing, the people behind the BABay ASF project shared with us all the information that we need to effectively take on our designated roles in counteracting the ASF crisis. Through a series of Zoom meetings and virtual trainings, we were properly equipped with the knowledge that would help us address the problem,” said Dr. Dahlia Valera, the City Veterinarian of Iligan City.

Another training session, spearheaded by CVO Iligan trainers,was attended by around 250 volunteers who will serve as Barangay Biosecurity Officer (BBO), covering five barangays in Iligan City, including Abuno, Tinapoy, Digkilaan, San Roque, and Dalipuga.

“The training program allowed us to sharpen the skills that each volunteer needs to perform well in the field. It brought us to a higher level of skills and knowledge,” said Raul Milang, BABay ASF volunteer and a District Sales Manager of ADM in West Mindanao.

ADM, through its CSR arm ADM Cares, provided funding assistance to PCSP to cover the training of volunteers, farmer seminars, and procurement of more than 700 ASF Test Kits and PCR test kits.

ADM also believes that the fundamental value of “Bayanihan,” which means working together as a community to achieve a common goal, will be the driving force for success in the BABay ASF Project.

“Amid these trying times, we believe in the power of ‘Bayanihan.’ Our strong support for the BABay ASF project is our way of helping ensure the country secure the ‘Green Zones’ in Northern Mindanao against ASF. Through our concerted efforts, we can achieve the repopulation of hog farms in the affected areas so that all hog farmers can continue their livelihoods,” said Dr. Loren Mapua, ADM Animal Nutrition Philippines Managing Director.

The deputized volunteers will strictly follow quarantine protocols since ASF is currently present in 11 regions, 34 provinces, 392 municipalities, and over 2,000 barangays nationwide.

“People in LGUs, particularly in the barangays, and the farmers themselves have deepened their involvement in our fight against ASF. It has increased their awareness on the need for each other’s cooperation,” said Dr. Benjie Resma, Provincial Veterinarian of Misamis Oriental.

ASF surveillance and monitoring protocols, such as the random collection of specimens from pigs for slaughter within the target barangays will help deputies keep track of the ASF movement within the affected regions.

To learn more about ADM’s Animal Nutrition business, visit www.admanimalnutrition.com.