SENATOR Francis “Tol” Tolentino has urged the government to declare a nationwide state of calamity in response to the ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak, arguing that it would empower both national and local governments to effectively combat the disease.
During a public hearing of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform on Monday, September 9, 2024, Tolentino highlighted the potential benefits of a state of calamity declaration. He emphasized that it would enable local government units (LGUs) to access their calamity funds, empower the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to utilize its quick response funds, and authorize the Department of Trade and Industry to implement price controls in response to the ASF outbreak.
“We hope this committee can finally urge the national government to place the entire country under a state of calamity because of the ASF problems,” Tolentino said, recognizing the significant role of the swine industry in Philippine agriculture. The industry, with an estimated value of P200 billion, is the largest among the livestock subsector.
Tolentino’s call for a state of calamity underscores the severity of the ASF outbreak and the need for comprehensive and coordinated measures to contain and mitigate its impact on the country’s agricultural sector.
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