Surigao Norte stakeholders intensify campaign vs ASF
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jun. 15
– Following the reported outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country,
concerned agencies continue to reinforce stringent measures to protect the
public against the threat of ASF.
Just recently, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
Surigao del Norte Station, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine
Ports Authority (PPA), Bureau of Animal Industry, and Provincial Veterinary
Office have intensified the conduct of a random inspection dubbed as “Bantay ASF
sa Pantalan.”
The said inspection is in consonance with the
marching order of the Provincial Governor of Surigao del Norte through an
Executive Order No. 21-020 series of 2021 otherwise known as “An Order
Establishing the Guidelines and Protocols to Prevent the Entry of African Swine
Fever into the province of Surigao del Norte."
PCG Surigao del Norte Coast Guard Station
Commander Elaine R. Pangilinan said the activity was purposely to strictly
regulate the transport of live hogs, pork, and pork by-products particularly in
seaports which intend to be transported bound for Siargao Island.
She said beforehand, the team conducted a short
briefing in order to have an organized and systemic inspection plan which
started by checking of pertinent documents of cargoes at the points of entries
particularly Gate 7 of Macapagal Port Terminal, Surigao City and then, the team
proceeded to Port Integrated Clearance Office (PICO) at the Surigao Baseport
wherein issuance of shipping permits from Bureau of Animal Industry is located.
“We appealed to the general public its full
cooperation and support against the fight of ASF that will lead to an ASF-FREE
Surigao del Norte,” Pangilinan said.
The team has also conducted inspection at the Eva Macapagal Passenger Terminal in which the passenger entrance and the security screening procedure are situated.
On the course of inspection, the team
intercepted pork by-products specifically pork meat and processed meat inside a
box without any necessary permits in the possession of a certain passenger
which was eventually confiscated.
The master of the vessel was given a stern
warning and likewise reminded to adhere to the Executive Order by not accepting
any cargoes without permits.
After the inspection, the team conducted a
post-assessment analysis in order to improve the screening procedures against
ASF. (PCG-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
