Press Release - Tolentino cites importance of supporting science to strengthen PH's response to ASF, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions

"Science and disaster response must not take a backseat in the legislative priorities of the Senate."

This was emphasized by Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino on Monday, September 9.

In his regular radio program, 'Usapang Tol,' the senator asked Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. for an update on the status of the government's efforts to produce a homegrown vaccine against the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.

The ASF outbreak is causing widespread devastation to the swine sector, depleting hog production, and jacking up the prices of pork to the disadvantage of millions of consumers.

In response, Solidum said that the DOST has been unable to develop its own ASF vaccine, as the bill seeking to establish the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VVIP) remains pending.

Solidum explained that the DOST has so far been able to provide only ASF detection kits and mobile laboratories, but he admitted that these are not enough to avert the spread of the highly contagious virus.

"We don't have a law yet that would allow the country to develop vaccines. For now we are just limited to research," added the DOST chief.

Solidum noted that another important science measure - the proposed Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Modernization Act - likewise needs to be passed in the Senate.

"Phivolcs urgently needs to increase its staff complement to better assist local governments in dealing with earthquakes and volcanic disasters," Solidum pointed out, while noting that Phivolcs, compared to its counterparts in other countries, is one of the smallest geological warning agencies in the world.

Tolentino agreed with Solidum: "We really need to focus on VVIP and Phivolcs modernization to equip the DOST and enable us to respond more effectively to these kinds of emergencies and disasters."

Tolentino is the author of Senate Resolution (PSR) No. 565, which calls on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a national state of calamity to address the ASF outbreak, which has reportedly spread to 54 out of the country's 82 provinces, and has inflicted P100 billion in losses to local hog raisers.

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