INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
DAVAO CITY —The first Filipino-made mobile laboratory to detect African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza on livestock and poultry would soon be launched in Bukidnon, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced.
Bukidnon is one of the country’s top hog producers.
Also referred to as a “scientific solution on wheels,” the mobile laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art animal health diagnostic technologies to be made available to livestock and poultry raisers in the province battling ASF and avian influenza in recent years.
A local veterinary research and diagnostics company, BioAssets Corporation, developed the unit through DOST’s Business Innovation through Science and Technology Program.
It will be donated to the Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Maramag, Bukidnon, in an official turnover and grand launch on Friday, Oct. 28.
The DOST said the mobile biocontainment laboratory is the first in the country and would initially provide services for both hog and poultry breeders in Bukidnon.
The province produced 137.28 thousand metric tons of live hogs in 2021, one of the highest in the region. A total of 16,007 backyard hog raisers and 71 commercial hog raisers across its 22 towns will benefit from the new facility.
In December 2021, a total of 251 poultry farms operated in the province.
With the significant number of hog and poultry raisers in Bukidnon, it is necessary that the first-ever mobile laboratory unit be made available in the area to support their disease diagnostics needs, according to the DOST.
The mobile laboratory can serve five to 10 farms per day requiring diagnostic tests for livestock.
“The test is equivalent to having 150 – 250 samples pooled and tested in one site. Its establishment will support rapid response to potential outbreaks and improve capacity-building and disease surveillance that would enable farmers and veterinarians to craft mitigation strategies, preventive and control measures at the point of need,” according to the DOST.
Priorities
Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. identified virology and vaccine research and development as one of the priorities of the DOST in ensuring public health and safety.
“We hope to improve our country’s capacity in diagnostics and detection,” he said. “This mobile biocontainment laboratory reinforces the capability of our Filipino scientists to lead the way in creating scientific solutions to present problems.”
Solidum commended the Central Mindanao University for taking in the challenge of supporting the the local swine and poultry industries in Mindanao.
“This technology will benefit our farmers and breeders, most specially those who have limited resources. I wish to express deep appreciation also to BioAssets Corporation for elevating our country’s capacity in veterinary diagnostics and detection. Due to your contributions, we have the capacity to support the needs of our fellow Filipinos,” Solidum said.
Hope
“We hope that R&D programs like the Science for Change, Balik Scientist Program, and the Virology and Vaccine Institute will continue to offer solutions, both long-term and short-term, and sustain our efforts in curbing the effects of the pandemic,” he added.
According to the DOST, the partnership between CMU and BioAssets Corporation and the creation of the mobile laboratory are essential in the establishment of a national program on disease surveillance.
“Such program will help the farmers by protecting their animals, and the general public by establishing a preventive and control measures for potential zoonotic diseases,” the DOST said.
The Science for Change-BIST Program provides financial assistance to Filipino private companies to acqure strategic and relevant technologies so they can undertake R&D.
The financial assistance, which may be used to purchase high-tech equipment or secure technology licensing and patent rights, will be refunded to DOST at zero-percent interest.