Malacañang said yesterday there is nothing to worry about the presence of the African Swine Fever in the country until the Department of Agriculture says otherwise.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after the DA confirmed that blood samples from the swine deaths reported in Rizal and Bulacan which were sent to United Kingdom tested positive for ASF.
Panelo said that there is nothing to worry about.
“I think there is no need to worry, considering the DA Secretary has not cautioned us not to avoid or not to eat, or to avoid,” he said.
Panelo also said there is no need to tell the DA to be transparent about the presence of the disease because it knows its job.
There is no need for a directive to be transparent. All agencies of the government and departments are expected to be transparent on their activities, he said.
“Now with respect to that, I’m sure the DA knew only of the affected areas at the time that they released the report. I saw the DA Secretary earlier this morning and confirming that disease is African Swine Fever,” he added.
The Palace official expressed confidence that Agriculture Secretary William Dar is already undertaking measures to address the situation.
“I’m sure the DA is already doing something about it,” he said.
“Just like any other sudden foreign disease that affects the swine industry, the DA will undertake all the measures necessary to secure the public for their safety. That’s Standard Operating Procedure,” he added. (Argyll Geducos)
