St Bernard handlers using dogs for pictorials warned

By Jessa Mardy Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Veterinary and Agriculture Office warned owners and handlers of St. Bernard dogs being used for pictorials for a fee at parks and tourist spots here after validation of complaints on health and welfare of the canines including inspection of permits.
    A social media post in 2018 regarding the sorry state of several St. Bernard dogs used for pictorials in city parks and tourist spots was recirculated online prompting the CVAO to conduct validation and monitoring Nov. 7.
    A team led by veterinarians Dr. Wilson Malingan and Dr. Hyden Luma-ang visited Wright Park and found one dog on display during the inspection – although usually, there were two to three more dogs on display during tourism peak season.
    The dog was provided with shade, chair, food and water while being displayed 8 a.m. to 12 noon.     While the dog appeared healthy, the owner could not provide vaccination records of the dog nor any business/special permit on site.
    At The Mansion, one dog was seen being used for pictorials but usually there were five handlers with different dogs being rotated at the spot according to the CVAO team.
    During inspection at The Mansion, the dog was found apparently healthy but also without vaccination cards or permits presented.
    The dog owner provided shade, chair, food and water for the pet.
    In Mines View, only one of 12 dogs being used for pictorials was seen during the inspection.
    The CVAO team said dogs were rotated every four hours for the spot.
    While the Securities and Exchange Commission registration of Mines View St. Bernard Dog Pictorial Association Inc., was displayed on site, city veterinarians reported there were no vaccination cards or special permit presented.
    At Lion’s Head, Kennon Road, a 9-year old dog was seen on site for pictorials.
    Similar to the other dogs in Wright Park, The Mansion and Mines View, the dog handlers could not provide vaccination cards nor permits.
    CityVeterinary and Agriculture officer Silardo Bested told dog owners and handles their responsibilities saying a special permit from the City Business Permits and Licensing Division was required for use dogs as source of livelihood through pictorials.

 

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Cagayan conducting bird flu surveillance vs spread

By Liezle Basa Inigo

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The Provincial Veterinary Office is keeping an eye on possible spread of avian influenza or bird flu among dCucks in this province.
    Dr. Myka Ponce, PVET veterinarian, recently conducted blood and swab samples on ducks in Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Santa Ana, Buguey, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Enrile, and Peñablanca to ensure that they are safe from bird flu.
The surveillance is conducted twice a year by PVET especially in coastal areas that are often visited by migratory birds that are possible carriers of bird flu.
    This province recorded a bird flu case in Solana last January but was immediately controlled.
    The PVET is awaiting the results of the collected blood and swab samples and assured that they will continue surveillance in Claveria, Sanchez Mira, and Ballesteros.

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Biosecure swine center built in Pangasinan

By Armando Carandang

ONE of the four biosecure swine multiplier techno-demo farms (SMTDs) that the government plans to establish in Ilocos Region this year has been completed.

    The facility located at Natividad, Pangasinan, is part of the Marcos administration’s program to fight African swine fever (ASF), raise swine production and afford small farmers with livelihood.
    The sites of the three other SMTDs that will be launched within this year are Manaoag, Pangasinan, and Candon and Vigan in Ilocos Sur. The government has allotted P40 million for the construction of the four SMTDs.
    “We will repopulate our hog sector through these swine technology centers,” said Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano who graced the launching of the Natividad facility on October 24.
    “We have put in place biosecurity measures that use a standard shelter design for hogs to keep small farms away from ASF,” added Savellano.
    In these centers good swine genetics will be reproduced and disseminated to far-flung provinces.
    Through farmers’ training on biosecurity measures, the Philippines will be able to raise hog inventory and pork supply, Savellano said.
    “The facility will provide support to local raisers by making available breeders and breeding materials and by producing adequate and quality stocks to supply DA and other agencies’ needs for sustainability in production,” he said.
Each SMTD has a budget of P10 million, and this includes provision for tunnel vent-type facility and 30 breeder sows and feeds.
    The local government units (LGUs) provide the land for the swine facility as its counterpart support. Farmers are trained on biosecure hog raising prior to receiving their swine.
    DA’s National Livestock Program (NLP) has partnered with the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH) based in Lipa City, Batangas, for the house design for the hogs, according to Agricultural Training Institute livestock focal person Krizel Joy Natividad.
    The SMTD has been introduced under DA-NLP’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (Inspire) Program.
    It is a hog repopulation program aimed at raising hog inventory following heavy ASF infestation, reported Aurelio Salvador of DA-Livestock.
    Biosecurity refers to measures aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of harmful organisms (viruses, bacteria, etc.) to animals and plants in order to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious disease.
    Biosecurity measures in the swine program include disinfestation process under which farm workers are required to bathe for disinfection before and after entering the swine facilities.
    They also go through a 24-hour quarantine after entry to the facilities.
    The swine facility itself is air-conditioned and has curtains that keep the facility free of infection.
    Present during the launch of the Natividad facility were OIC-Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Arcely Robeniol (representing     Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico 3rd); Natividad Mayor Rosita Rafael; Municipal Agriculturist engineer John Christian Sioco; and ATI-RTC 1 Center Director Dr. Rogelio Evangelista.
    The event was also witnessed by the members of the Pagrang-ayan ti San Pedro Farmers Association, Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council (MAFC) Chairman Loujay Pagal, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Angelica Malaca, Municipal Local Government Operations officer Hope Ordonio, and staff of the Municipal Agriculture Office.
 
 
 

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ASF outbreak in Tabuk City with 257 hogs dead

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A state of animal health emergency due to an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak was declared here.
    City veterinary services office head Carmen Wanas said 267 hogs died due to ASF in 13 barangays.
    Wanas said 46 other hogs were affected by swine disease.
    Affected barangays were Dagupan West, New Tanglag, Bulanao Centro, Bulanao Norte, Bulo, Ipil, Gobgob, Naneng, Bagumbayan, Cabaruan, Appas, San Juan and Agbannawag.
    At least 209 hogs raisers were affected.
    The ASF task force in Tabuk said an executive order containing measures to prevent the spread of ASF should be issued.
    It said more checkpoints should be put up to prevent entry and exit of infected hogs.
    The task force urged barangay officials to report ASF cases even as it reminded the public to be cautious in buying pork and its by-products.
    Last week, a state of calamity was declared in Roxas and Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro after reporting their first cases of ASF.
    The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) gave assurance that there was no pork shortage in the country despite recording new ASF cases.
    But SINAG called for more stringent border protection measures to protect the local hog industry.
 

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Hog raisers, traders warned vs ASF-contaminated feeds

By Leilanie Adriano 

LAOAG CITY — The Ilocos Norte Provincial Veterinary Office urged hog raisers and traders to stay vigilant about the reentry of the African swine fever (ASF) through feed ingredients.
    Provincial veterinarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela told the Philippine News Agency that animal feeds can also carry viruses so prevention and biosecurity are key to prevent ASF cases.
     “We have information that there are individuals offering branded feeds to feed outlets and hog farm owners at prices way below the suggested retail price. Please be informed that these may pose a threat to our local pig industry. ASF-contaminated feeds are real,” Valenzuela said. 
    She advised hog raisers to not bring newly-bought animal feeds inside the piggery and to transfer the unopened feeds to a container with lid cover to avoid contamination.
     “Let us not litter or use sacks in pig pens too,” she added.
    The Provincial Veterinary Office also cautioned hog growers about the presence of mobile private technicians from nearby provinces who are allegedly roving through villages, offering their feeds and artificial insemination services. 
    They can also be a possible vector for the ASF virus, it said. 
    Ilocos Norte continues to reimpose stringent border protocols with the help of law enforcers, including quarantine checkpoints, to prevent ASF from infecting hogs in the province.
    Checkpoints have been set up in all possible entry points for the delivery of hogs while backyard slaughtering of hogs is strictly prohibited.
    In 2020, the Ilocos Norte hog industry incurred losses of around P4.98 billion due to ASF.
    While massive hog repopulation is ongoing, the Ilocos Norte government is urging all hog growers to register and insure their piglets to the nearest municipal or city agriculture office to protect their livelihood. The animal insurance program is free. -- PNA
 

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Rabies cases in Ilocos Region up by 110%

VACCINATION -- Personnel of Pangasinan Provincial Veterinary Office vaccinate pets in Lingayen, Pangasinan Sept. 28. The Dept. of Health Center for Health Development in Ilocos Region recorded 21 rabies cases in the region from Jan. 1 to Sept. 16 this year, six of which were recorded in Pangasinan. (Pangasinan Provincial Veterinary Office photo)

By Hilda Austria 

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Ilocos Region has recorded 21 rabies cases from Jan. 1 to Sept. 16 this year, 110 percent higher than the 10 cases recorded in the same period last year, according to the Department of Health Center for Health Development in the Ilocos Region (DOH-CHD-1).
    In a phone interview on Friday, DOH-CHD-1 medical officer Rheuel Bobis said of the total cases, 10 were recorded in Ilocos Norte, two in Ilocos Sur, three in La Union, and six in Pangasinan.
    All the recorded cases resulted in deaths.
    “Owners have the responsibility to have their pets immunized against rabies yearly and also to provide other booster shots to keep them healthy and safe from viruses. May it be a cat or dog, they should be immunized to prevent rabies in case we get bitten by them. Most animal bites happen at home and some are bitten accidentally during playtime with their pets,” Bobis said.
    Rabies is deadly as it has a 99 percent case fatality rate once a person gets bitten in critical areas such as the face, arms, or legs. However, it is preventable through prompt and appropriate medical care and by getting anti-rabies vaccines.
    Among the measures being taken by the agency is the distribution of equine rabies immune globulin vials and purified chick embryo cells (for high-risk patients and postexposure protection against rabies) to various provincial health offices.
    In an interview, Pangasinan Provincial Veterinary Office officer-in-charge Arcely Robeniol said they have already vaccinated for free 129,628 pets against rabies in the province from Jan. 1 to Sept. 28.
    The provincial government has also castrated 1,499 pets and spayed 847 for free as part of their advocacy to control the population of stray cats and dogs.
    “If they are neutered or spayed, we could prevent stray animals in the streets and prevent possible rabies bites,” she said.
Robeniol said their other activities include deworming, consultation, vitamin administration and information and education campaign.
    “We do info drive campaign to pet owners and conduct mass vaccination as well as augment the local government units with vaccines,” she said. -- PNA

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Ilocos Norte logs twelve rabies deaths

By Jun Elias

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte -- Twelve people died of rabies in this province since March.
Cathy Badua, provincial health office nurse and infectious diseases coordinator, said the latest fatality was a 70-year-old man, a resident of Barangay 8 San Antonio in Sarrat town.
    Badua said the victim was bitten by a dog in June, but did not get anti-rabies vaccine until two weeks ago.
    She said the other fatalities are from Pinili, Nueva Era, Banna, Sarrat, Paoay, Badoc and Laoag City.

 

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Bontoc stray dogs caught in anti-rabies drive

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay, Bontoc LGU 

BONTOC, Mountain Province- The municipal government here, through the Municipal Anti-Rabies Control Council held stray dog-catching activities in central barangays on August 31 to ensure public safety, take a proactive stance against rabies and maintain cleanliness and sanitation in this capital town. 
    The activity was carried out by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAG), Municipal Health Office (MHO), Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet), Bontoc Municipal Police Station, barangay kagawad and tanod.
    Five dogs were caught an impounded at the OPVet. 
    Three dogs were claimed by the owners. 
    According to Agricultural Technologist Sheryl Tumingeb of the OMAg, dogs that were caught and impounded at the OPVet were provided with anti-rabies vaccination shots, deworming, scabies treatment, food, and care maintenance.  
    Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., commended the efforts of the offices and the BLGUs involved in the dog-catching activity, saying this was for benefit of the populace. 
    Tudlong reiterated importance of responsible pet ownership and urged pet owners to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and ensure they were properly cared for. 
    Meanwhile, owners of impounded dogs were told to visit the OMAG to reclaim their pets. 
    As stipulated under ordinance 373, S. 2023, violators are subjected to a fine of not less than P500 for first offense and P1,000 for the second and succeeding offenses. 
    It is to be noted that before the series of dog-catching activities, the Bontoc LGU through the OMAg conducted dog-catching training participated in by barangay tanods from barangays Bontoc Ili, Samoki, Caluttit, and Poblacion including personnel from the MHO. 
    Trainers were Dr. Michael Takinan, Dr. Kevin Tictica, Dr. Andogan Revira, Dr. Cyrilbone Barroga, and Dr. Cluper Oros who are all from Baguio City Veterinary and Agriculture Offices (CVAO).
    Also, tools for dog catching were turned over by the Bontoc LGU to barangay officials of Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, Samoki, and Poblacion after the training. 
    Tools included catching poles with nets, animal handling gloves, and dog cages. 

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Bontoc: No entry of hogs, products

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The local government of this capital town has temporarily banned entry of hogs and pork products coming from the lowlands particularly in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur due to African swine fever (ASF).
    Bontoc Mayor Jerome Tudlong Jr. urged his constituents to be vigilant as ASF cases have been detected in several backyard farms in Cervantes and spreading quickly.
    “To prevent the spread of this disease and help protect the livelihood of our swine raisers, entry of live swine or pigs, pork, processed pork products and by-products from Cervantes is temporarily suspended,” the mayor said in an advisory.
    ASF cases were detected last month in a barangay in Cervantes, prompting neighboring towns to enforce measures protecting their local hog industry.
    The provincial government of Benguet also temporarily banned entry of hogs and pork products from Cervantes. 

    In Pangasinan, the provincial board is conducting an inquiry into reports that farm trials on ASF vaccines were now being conducted in the province. 
    Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino ordered the probe earlier on August 7.
    "We are not aware of that testing that unofficial reports say was being done by the Department of Agriculture, and we have to verify this," said Lambino.
    "I have requested Board Member (Nicholi Jan Louie) Sison to immediately conduct an inquiry on this alleged testing of an ASF live virus in Pangasinan. Our primary concern here is the biosecurity protocols of the province," he added.
    Sison said that Rosendo So, chairman of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, wrote the provincial board "out of his concern on the safety of the pork that we are going to consume here because we do not know yet what will be its effects."
    "We are currently regulating the entry of piggery, poultry, and other livestock entities in the province and we have imposed a temporary ban on pork, poultry and other livestock from ASF affected areas," said Sison, provincial board committee on agriculture chairman.
    At present, Pangasinan has no reported cases of ASF and the temporary total ban is necessary to prevent the virus from entering the province.
    Lambino also said it was So who wrote to him about the farm trials.
    In his letter, So said that the trials supposedly started last June and will end in September.
    There was no mention of specific places in Pangasinan where the vaccine trials were being conducted. – With a report from Gabriel Cardinoza
 

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Pangasinan gov orders provincial board: Probe ASF vax farm trials

By Gabriel L. Cardinoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino on Monday, August 7, ordered the provincial board to conduct an inquiry into reports that farm trials on Asian swine fever (ASF) vaccines are now being conducted in Pangasinan province.
    "We are not aware of that testing that unofficial reports say this was being done by the Department of Agriculture, and we have to verify this," said Lambino.
    "I have requested Board Member (Nicholi Jan Louie) Sison to immediately conduct an inquiry on this alleged testing of an ASF live virus in Pangasinan. Our primary concern here is the biosecurity protocols of the province," he added.
    Sison said that Rosendo So, chairman of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, wrote the provincial board "out of his concern on the safety of the pork that we are going to consume here because we do not know yet what will be its effects."
    "We are currently regulating the entry of piggery, poultry, and other livestock entities in the province and we have imposed a temporary ban on pork, poultry and other livestock from ASF affected areas," said Sison, provincial board committee on agriculture chairman.
    At present, Pangasinan has no reported cases of ASF and the temporary total ban is necessary to prevent the virus from entering the province.

Lambino also said that it was So who wrote to him about the farm trials.

In his letter, So said that the trials supposedly started last June and will end in September.

There was no mention of specific places in Pangasinan where the vaccine trials are being conducted.

 

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Bontoc gives folks tools to catch stray dogs

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The local govnerment here gave dog-catching tools to four central barangays here in its campaign to lessen stray dogsthrough the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist.
    Bontoc Mayor Jerome "Chagsen" Tudlong, Jr., members of the Sangguniang Bayan, and municipal agriculturist Renato Falag-ey led turnover of tools to the barangay officials of Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, Samoki, and Poblacion on May 22 at the municipal capitol.
    The tools included catching poles with nets, animal handling gloves, and dog cages. 
    According to Agricultural Technologist Sheryl Tumingeb of the OMAg, the giving of tools to folks of the four central barangays was a follow-up intervention of the local government after dog catching training participated in by barangay tanods from said barangays and personnel from the Municipal Health Office last March.
    It is lodged under the rabies program of the Bontoc LGU which aims to prioritize safety of its people as well as the cleanliness and sanitation of the town center. 
    Tudlong said capacitating barangays with training on dog catching and equipping them with tools was part of the present administration's programs.
    The mayor told the public to be responsible in having pets and encouraged everyone to cooperate in promotion and maintenance of a healthy and clean environment.
 

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Five die of rabies in Ilocos Norte

By Leilanie Adriano 

LAOAG CITY – Local and health officials in the province of Ilocos Norte have raised the alarm on the increasing rabies cases in the province, with five reported deaths this year.
    The fatalities, aged 35 to 75, were from the city of Batac and the towns of Nueva Era, Pinili, Sarrat and Paoay, according to data from the Provincial Health Office.
    "For the last 10 years, Ilocos Norte has maintained its status as a rabies-free province but in just an instant, we lost it,” said provincial board member Dr. Medeldorf Gaoat in a media interview on Monday as he urged all concerned sectors to help control the spread of the deadly virus.
    Gaoat stressed the need to intensify the mass vaccination of dogs and cats to bring back the province's rabies-free status.
    He also appealed to those who still slaughter dogs for food to refrain from doing so because even if dog meat is cooked, the rabies virus can still thrive over extreme heat.
    To speed up the monitoring and surveillance of rabies cases, Gaoat recommended the establishment of its own rabies testing center in the province.
    Currently, samples of suspected rabies cases are still being sent to Pangasinan for confirmatory laboratory testing.

Gaoat also urged local government units and pet owners to help in the impounding of stray dogs.

In case of a bite, victims are advised to immediately proceed to an animal bite treatment center for immediate action and intervention, instead of going to a faith healer or availing of the traditional practice of “tandok," done by placing a piece of deer or carabao horn over a dog or cat bite believing it would suck out the rabies virus.

The officials said several bite victims still choose to believe in “conventional faith healing” practices such as the use of certain stones, oils and leaves, which contributed to rabies deaths in the province.

In 2012, the Provincial Veterinary Office launched the Ilocos Norte Communities against Rabies Exposure project.

The project delivered a comprehensive dog vaccination program and increased awareness on the need for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

At the time, the project aimed to eliminate human and animal rabies cases from Ilocos Norte by 2015.

Prior to the intervention, confirmed rabies cases in dogs were between 19 and 50 per year (2008–2011).

The primary outcome of the project was a reduction in rabies cases in both dogs and humans to 0 in 2014 and 2015, a record maintained until this y when over 35 suspected rabies cases were reported with five fatalities. -- PNA

 

 

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Benguet governor: ASF in 13 towns

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Gov. Melchor Diclas has confirmed reports that all 13 towns in his province have been affected by African swine fever (ASF).
    Diclas issued the statement last week after the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, reported that the virus has spread to 460 towns and 54 provinces in the country.
    “All our 13 municipalities were affected by ASF. It started in the capital town, here in La Trinidad, which is near Baguio City. Then it spread to other areas and the outbreak started,” Diclas said in a radio interview.
    He said the provincial government implemented culling operations to prevent the virus from further spreading.
    “We implemented culling, but we experienced difficulties because we sourced our pork supply from many areas.     Some come from Ilocos Sur and Mountain Province,” he said.
    At least 50 to 100 hogs were culled in every municipality during the operations, Diclas said.
    “At present, the outbreak is already controlled. We started again to raise hogs. Hopefully this will continue,” Diclas said.
    Data from the BAI showed the infections in Baguio, Bakun, Bokod, Kapangan and Kibungan have already been controlled.

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Livestock market pushed to decongest Baguio City central business district

  
By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Veterinary and Agriculture Office urged the City Council March 6 to approve proposal to construct a state-of-the-art livestock market here in Barangay Dontogan.
    The proposed project worth P108 million was presented by CVAO senior agriculturist Marcy Tabelin and city veterinarian Siladro Bested. The present livestock market is located in the slaughterhouse compound along Magsaysay Ave. surrounded by residential houses, bus terminals, and business establishments.
    Once the livestock market is relocated to the proposed site in Dontogan Barangay, the slaughterhouse compound will be “decongested,” helping depopulate the city center.
    The area once occupied by the livestock market will be utilized for agricultural projects such as vegetable and fruit trees seedling production.
    Having 65 stalls that can accommodate 7,000 live animals, the new livestock market being proposed will have separate sections to minimize cross exposure to animal diseases.
    The structure is designed for easy cleaning and disinfection and has its own drainage system and a sewage treatment plant.
    To keep the livestock safe from animal diseases, biosecurity control measures will be undertaken for all live animals entering the livestock market. 
    The proposed aquaponic system will be an additional component of the project for benchmarking purposes and to be used for teaching the residents in the city who want to venture into aquaponics and hydroponics farming and urban agriculture.

According to the cost benefit analysis and feasibility study conducted by the City Budget Office, the proposed livestock market is expected to generate P72 million in its first five years of operation from all its revenue streams. The study also claims that the return of investment is at 22.7%, resulting in the recovery of investment P107 million within 10 years and seven months. 

The proposed livestock market will also make native pigs and chickens accessible, benefitting residents who conduct cultural practices and festivities.

Bested said the proposed livestock market will be constructed simultaneously with the proposed abattoir.

The proposed livestock market will be funded by the city government while the construction of the proposed abattoir will be through public-private partnership (PPP). 

Bested told the council stall owners in the current livestock market will not be displaced and more individuals will be accommodated since the new livestock market will have more stalls.

Meanwhile, Councilor Michael Lawana suggested that the city government should come up with a suggested retail price (SRP) of live animals and strict monitoring of the SRP in the livestock market to avoid overpricing.

On the same day, the city council approved the first annual supplemental investment program for 2023 in the amount of P250 million which includes the proposed fund for the construction of the modernized livestock market.

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Bontoc holds massive jab of dogs, cats

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Officials here told folks to be mindful of responsible pet ownership as five cases of rabies were reported recently in this town with government workers and officials embarking on massive vaccination drive.
    In observance of Rabies Awareness Month this March, the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist urged pet owners to have their pets vaccinated against rabies annually.
    Municipal government assistant department head Catherine Agcon of OMAg made this appeal during flag raising ceremony at municipal capitol grounds Monday.
    Aside from sharing information about responsible pet ownership and signs of canine rabies, Agcon said the five rabies cases were confirmed January to March.
    Ensure that your dogs are leashed or confined in their kennels for safety, she told pet owners. Agcon added as immediate response to rabies cases recorded in the municipality, the OMAg in partnership with the provincial government, through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, barangay officials and partner agencies have been going around town for information drive and vaccination of pets wherein 38 cats and 1,637 dogs were vaccinated.
    Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr. urged cooperation and support of the public on government program against rabies.  
    “March of every year, we observe Rabies Awareness Month. May this observance remind us to do our share to protect our families and the community against the dreadful disease of rabies. The Bontoc LGU through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist in partnership with the Provincial LGU of Mountain Province and other government agencies are providing free anti-rabies vaccine shots to dogs and cats. Thus, I encourage all pet owners to have your fur best friends and fur babies vaccinated,” Tudlong said.
    The nation observes Rabies Awareness Month, per executive order 84, series of 1999, and as stipulated in Republic Act No. 9482 or “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007.”
 
 
 
 

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Bontoc folks get fish fingerlings from BFAR

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province - Thirty-five fisherfolks of this capital town received tilapia fingerlings March 1 at the municipal capitol grounds.
    Administrative Officer IV Ross Kiat-ong of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources provided 40,000 tilapia fingerlings to the Bontoc local government which the latter distributed to recipients.
    As its counterpart, the Bontoc LGU shouldered hauling of fingerlings from La Trinidad fish farm and its distribution to  beneficiaries  in Bontoc.
    Kiat-ong added the fingerlings distribution aims to eradicate poverty in communities by strengthening livelihood activities of marginalized fisherfolks.
    Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., thanked the BFAR for its assistance to fisherfolks in the locality and expressed hopes the tilapia fingerlings distribution will ensure  sufficient supply of fish in the market for public consumption
    He assured the recipients the Bontoc LGU will strengthen its partnership with the BFAR to support programs in marine and fishery sectors by developing resources to sustain aquaculture productivity and uplift the living standard of fisherfolks.

 

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Mayor gives final warning against Baguio hog raisers

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned residents here who continue to violate laws and regulations prohibiting hog-raising in the city.
    The mayor's warning came after the discovery of several piggeries allegedly operating in Barangay Fairview during a joint inspection by personnel of the City Environment and Parks Management Office and City Veterinary and Agriculture Office.

     "This is the final warning, otherwise we will already file criminal charges against them (hog raisers)," he stressed. In a highly urbanized city like Baguio, hog-raising is not allowed by the city's Environment Code; Republic Act (RA) 8749 or the "Clean Air Act;" RA 9275 or the "Philippine Water Act" and RA 9904 or the "Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Association."
    He said there were around three thousand piggeries operating in the city during his first term as mayor and claimed the number went down by as much as 90 percent since then.
    Now in his second term as the city's chief executive, Magalong expressed exasperation that these piggeries are mushrooming all over the city once again.
    "They (hog-raisers) are polluting our rivers. They just don't care and only think of themselves. Even their neighbors are happy that these piggeries have been removed and their areas smell pleasant once more. Unfortunately, these piggeries are returning, that is why I will have these immediately confiscated," he said.
 

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Abra pork supply can meet ‘bagnet, longanisa’ demand

By Liza Agoot 

BANGUED, Abra – The province of Abra can meet the demand for “bagnet” (crispy fried pork chunk) and “longanisa” (native sausage) as it has a sufficient supply of pork meat.
    Irene Barbon, livestock monitoring officer at the Abra Provincial Veterinary Office, said in an interview on Monday that African swine fever (ASF) prevention protocols continue to be implemented in the province, resulting in an ample supply of pork.
    “Sufficient ang supply natin ng baboy pati na ang bagnet at longanisa para sa consumers (we have a sufficient supply of pork, bagnet, and longanisa for all the consumers), she said.”
    Bagnet and longanisa are among the popular products of Abra that are being bought by both residents and visitors to bring home with them.
    Barbon said provincial officials have set the ceiling price of pork at P260 per kilo.
    Barbon said the province passed an ordinance in 2020 prohibiting the entry of pig, pork and pork-based products as a precaution against contaminants.
    “As of now the entry of products from pork, bawal po talaga (is not allowed) but a proponent can submit an application for exemption which requires that the products are covered with certification from a laboratory stating that the goods are ASF-free,” she said.
    She said the quarantine checkpoint at the main entrance to the province is still active.
    “Para sa atin din po ang striktong pagbabawal dahil kapag kumalat ang sakit tayo rin ang mawawalan kaya sumunod po tayo sa mga ipinatutupad na panuntunan (let us abide by the strict policy for our good because if the disease enters our place, it will be our loss),” Barbon said. -- PNA

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P’sinan restricts hogs, poultry

DAGUPAN CITY -- The provincial government of Pangasinan has banned entry of live hogs, poultry and all its by-products from all infected zone municipalities into the province amid the threat of the African swine fever (ASF) and avian flu.
Gov. Ramon Guico 3rd issued Executive Order 4 which took effect Feb. 2 until March 2.
    "To date, Pangasinan has no reported cases of ASF, however, there is a need to implement a temporary total ban on entry of live swine/pigs within the province of Pangasinan to safeguard the swine/hog industry as well as to protect the general public from the ill effects of the ASF disease and the avian flu, and to maintain its present status," Guico said in the order.
    He said all other zones shall only be allowed to enter the province, provided that documentary requirements for entry in the animal quarantine checkpoints have been complied with.
    Live hogs for slaughter will be allowed entry if the bearer could present a veterinary health certificate, veterinary shipping permit, animal welfare registration certificate, transport carrier registration certificate, handler's license certificate of registration, certificate of free status-ASF, ASF laboratory negative result, and certificate of acceptance.
    The same documents are required for live pigs for breeding purposes, with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)-accredited swine breeder farm certificate as an added requirement.
    Fresh pork meat, frozen, and pork products shall also be allowed, provided that the shipment is accompanied by a certificate of meat inspection for imported meat products that will be issued by the National Meat Inspection Service or meat inspection certificate for domestic meat products, veterinary shipping permit, and certificate of acceptance.
    For uncooked processed pork products and cooked meat products, the shipment must have a license to operate, a certificate of product registration issued by the Food and Drug Administration, and a veterinary shipping permit.
    "Only the Provincial Veterinary Office shall issue a certificate of acceptance upon presentation of all valid documents before shipment. The certificate is valid until the day of its shipment only. Moreover, only the BAI-registered stockyard will be issued a certificate of acceptance," the governor said.

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King cobra caught, released into wild

By Vince Jacob Visaya

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- The Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources Cagayan Valley confirmed a snake they caught Tuesday inside a cabinet in a classroom at General Balao Elementary School here was a deadly king cobra.
    Jovencio Payba, DENR-Cagayan Valley development management officer, said they responded to the report from the natural resources and environment sub-office in Solana on the presence of the snake in the school.
    The snake measured about 1.4 meters long.
    The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a venomous elapid snake species, endemic to South Asia and Southeast Asia.
    A teacher spotted the snake inside the cabinet while cleaning the classroom, prompting her to ask her fellow teachers to call the environment agency.
    Payba and two co-workers responded.
    They brought out the cabinet, opened it, used a tong to catch the snake and put it inside a sack.
    The DENR workers noted snakes do not bite if they are not disturbed, saying they only become dangerous when disturbed or touched.
    The snake was later released in the forests of Solana town back to its normal environment.

"Collection of such an endemic species is illegal, so snake enthusiasts are asked not to collect it," Payba said.

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