Bohol creates ASF/ AI

Exec Comms, TForces

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 12 (PIA) – In the urgency of the situation with the cases of the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF) in Camiguin Island, and with yet another threat of the Avian Influenza (AI) in the offing with the winter migration starting soon, Bohol creates a Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and Task Force for those two major concerns.

Through Executive Order No 7 series of 2022, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado caused the creation of an inter-agency as well as inter-sectoral PEC on ASF and AI, tasked to map out measures to prevent anc control the two diseases that have the potential to wipe out the local hog and poultry industry.

At its creation, Bohol will now a focused group to approve and review the provincial Preparedness and Contingency plan, provide policy directors and supervise its implementation, identify and recommend sources of resources and funds for the plan implementation and ensure awareness of the Boholano populace of the virus and the disease that can jeopardize its economic recovery program.

First among the lists of the PEC ASF/AI tasks in the formulation and adoption of a Provincial Preparedness and Contingency plan against ASF and AI, one that would also be adopted and implemented by municipal and barangays as their operational plans.

The Provincial Preparedness and Contingency Plan would be anchored of strategies like strict enforcement of quarantine policies and procedures, inter-agency and inter sectoral participatory collaboration, regular disease surveillance and monitoring, regular policy updating and ASF / AI issuances review and a strong information education management.

The PEC ASF and AI would be having its Task Force Quarantine which shall implement prescribed biosecurity measures in seaports, airport livestock and poultry farms, ban or regulate livestock movement and document incoming and outgoing shipment of livestock.

Task Force Field Surveillance and Monitoring would conduct regular surveillance and profiling of livestock and poultry disease in identified priority areas, regular monitoring of livestock and poultry farms and facilities, supervise the implementation of border control, regular monitoring of swine and poultry products, its availability and price trend.

The EO also provides for the creation of Task force on the information, Education and Communication which is tasked to prepare a communication IEC plan and ensure adequate awareness of the general public on matters pertaining to ASF and AI.

It also sets up a Task Force on Disease Update and Policy Review which ensures up-to-date gathering of disease updates from the national agencies and recommend necessary policies and measures for implementation.

Morever, the EO also sets up the Quick Response Task Force as a quick response force on livestock and poultry emergencies like field disinfection, disposal, animal management and possibly facilitate and process indemnification procedures if the LGU provides for it.

And in the spirit of collaborative participation, the Provincial, City and Municipal Executive Councils in municipalities with airports and ports would be responsible in deploying their own quarantine personnel to put up a system of quarantine services in their areas, according to the EO No 7.

As to border control, the EO also provides that the provincial City Municipal and Barangay Task Forces which, would include the Bantay Dagat, Barangay Livestock Aides, Barangay Tanods and other key baranagya personnel are to coordinate in the establishment and implementation of a border control in the island and coastal barangays, and monitor incoming and returning fishing vessels.

The governor signed the EO No 7 last July 4 and that would take effect immediately. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

PROTECTING A BILLION-PESO LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY. Gov Erico Aristotle Aumentado, in an Executive Order, created the Provincial Executive Committees on African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian influenza (AI) in a bid to make sure the island can unite and prevent the entry of the virus that would cause the diseases that have the capacity to wipe out and decimate the local livestock industry. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)