Besao makes cattle branding mandatory

BESAO, Mountain Province - Cows and carabaos in this town which are one year old and above will all be branded soon.

This, after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution approving a town ordinance providing this and setting penalties for cattle owners who don’t comply.

The ordinance stipulated registration and transfer fees of large cattle for purpose of identification.

Branding is marking of the skin of cattle using hot iron.

The ordinance ordered the brand of the municipal government should be at the left upper hip while the counter brand of the owner should be at the right upper hip of cattle that are one year old and above.

Besao officials scheduled a mass branding February to March every year but anybody who wants do branding anytime is allowed.

The municipal agriculturist’s office who shall assist in the branding, was tasked to keep animal records, issue clearance relative to branding and conduct information campaign on the matter.

Any person caught violating the provisions of the ordinance shall be fined with P750 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second and P1,500 for the third. -- Juliet B. Saley