TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 17 (PIA) -- In view of the cases of the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF) in Camiguin Island and with yet another threat of the Avian Influenza (AI) as the winter migration is starting soon, Bohol has created a Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and Task Force for the said concerns.
Through Executive Order No 7 series of 2022, Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado creates an inter-agency as well as inter-sectoral PEC on ASF and AI tasked to map out measures to prevent and control the two diseases that have the potential to wipe out the local hog and poultry industry.
At its creation, Bohol will now have 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 is 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 said plan would be anchored on 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 have 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.
The 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 a Task Force on the information, Education and Communication which is tasked to prepare a communication 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.
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 local government unit provides for it.
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.
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 barangay 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. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
