Ifugao town imposes branding of cattle to stop illegal transport

By: Mhars B. Lihgawon

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- The municipal government here has mandated all cattle owners to brand animals upon reaching the prescribed age for proper distinction and ownership.

The branding is pursuant to an ordinance approved recently by local legislators to regulate illegal transport and selling of cattle within and outside the municipality.

           

According to the ordinance, cattle should be branded upon reaching one to two years old with a registered owner’s brand  at the office of the municipal treasurer and strictly for personal use only.

           

Branding of cattle activities should always be done in the presence of representatives from the office of the municipal treasurer for transparency and avoidance of any violations of ordinance.

           

Meanwhile, the ordinance also set requirements when  selling and transporting cattle within and outside the municipality.

           

Any person who sells large cattle is required to brand said cattle under his/her name not by the buyer’s name.

           

Morever, large cattle transported from one place to another within the municipality of Alfonso Lista for commercial purposes and slaughtering, the buyer shall accomplish and process the required documentation with the concerned municipal local government offices only during regular workings days.

           

No unbranded large cattle shall be transported or allowed to be transported unless the owner presents sufficient and convincing documents including payments of the required fees.

           

The ordinance further stated that any violation by any individual including local government officials shall penalized of P2,500 or imprisonment of 30 days for the first offense, P2,500 or imprisonment for 60 days – second offense and P2,500 or imprisonment of 90 days or both upon the discretion of the court for the third offense.