DAVAO ORIENTAL – Beefing up efforts to prevent the African Swine Fever (ASF) from entering the province, the provincial government of Davao Oriental, through the Provincial Veterinarian’s Office and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), has recently conducted a Veterinary Quarantine Procedure Training for additional manpower set to become force multipliers in enforcing quarantine procedures for the ASF here.
Some thirty barangay tanods, who are also residents of the barangays where the checkpoints were strategically installed, have participated during the training held recently at the PDRRMO Operation Center.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Eric Dagmang said that the training will strengthen the enforcement of the checkpoints in the entry and exit points of the province.
“This has long been planned by the province after the ASF-affected the livestock in our neighboring provinces, like Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur, and portion in Calinan, Davao City. Even before the African Swine Fever hit Mindanao, there were already measures implemented, like the two executive orders of Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang. The first was the creation of the ASF Task Force, and the banning of pork and pork products from ASF affected areas,” he explained
Dr. Dagmang commended the big help of the authorities, the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in the implementation of the quarantine.
However, since the quarantine is only a portion of the many tasks of the law enforcers, the province is capacitating personnel who will not only augment the manpower but also efficiently implement the ASF quarantine at the checkpoints.
These checkpoints are located in Barangay Maylaya in Cateel town, Barangay Carmen in Boston town, Barangay Pintatagan in Banaybanay, and Barangay Marayag in Lupon.
Dr. Dagmang added that they are now upgrading their measures against ASF.
“After the first moves that we made, we are now into spraying (chemicals) on high-risk vehicles, particularly vehicles that are livestock carriers. Before they can enter the province, we will be spraying on their tires. Passengers are also asked to pass through the foot bath,” he said.
“We are also strictly checking their documents like the veterinary health certificate and the veterinary shipping permit. Once they are not complied with, cargoes or the shipment will be sent back to their origin,” he added.
The Provincial Veterinarian appealed to the public to patronize local pork products to avoid problems and inconveniences, like confiscation of their products, as they are trying their best to make considerations in dealing with intercepted products, like sending them back to their origin.
“The ASF has the biggest effect in the economy, particularly to the hog industry, and to the workers behind the industry. Let us not wait for this to happen. Let us not give any chance for the ASF to enter our province. So, we really need then public’s support and cooperation, since this is for the good of all and province,” he concluded. By Neela Duallo/Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
