Sulu officials rejoin Lakas-CMD; DA eyes locally-made anti-FMD meds
At least 50 Sulu officials have officially joined Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), further bolstering its position as the largest political group in the country ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is president of Lakas-CMD, flew to the provincial capital Jolo to administer the oath of membership to his new party mates. This included Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, Vice Gov. Toto Tan and 48 other officials in the province, as well as 38 mayors and vice mayors and 10 provincial board members. —KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING
DA eyes locally-made anti-FMD meds
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is exploring the possibility of producing vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) to prevent and manage the disease’s incursions or spreads. Since 2014, the World Organization for Animal Health recognized the Philippines as FMD-free even without a vaccination practice.
However, the agency said there is a need to prepare for contingencies as the livestock industry still bears the threat and risk of this severe, highly contagious viral disease. The DA convened a technical working group to conduct a feasibility study of manufacturing locally produced FMD vaccines. The DA said an unlikely outbreak “has a significant economic impact,” per Special Order No. 1083. The country has not inoculated livestock against FMD for over a decade although neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam recently reported FMD cases.
The panel, to be chaired by Agriculture Assistant Secretary Constante Palabrica, is tasked to provide technical inputs to ascertain the viability of manufacturing FMD vaccines. The group will review policies and prepare criteria of minimum facility capabilities, criteria of minimum personnel capacities, biological risk assessments and cost-benefit analysis. The TWG will finalize a comprehensive report recommending, or otherwise, the viability and feasibility of manufacturing locally produced FMD vaccines. FMD affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. —JORDEENE B. LAGARE
