LINGAYEN–The Provincial Government of Pangasinan extended the temporary total ban in the entry to the province of live swine and poultry products from all cities and municipalities declared under red zone from July 1 to September 30.
Said extension of temporary total ban were officially declared through two separate Executive Orders (EOs)– EO No. 0058 and EO No. 0059 which were signed by Governor Ramon V. Guico III on June 23.
Recent data of the Bureau of Animal Industry showed that there were reported cases of African Swine Flu (ASF) in the province, specifically, in the towns of Anda and Bolinao and in Alaminos City.
This prompted the provincial government to immediately address the issue by extending the temporary total ban for three months of live swine/pigs, pork and by-products.
Along with this, an order extended the temporary total ban on the entry of all ducks, quails, spent hens (culled), hatching eggs, pigeons, gamefowls, ready to lay pullet (RTL), and the restrictions on the movement of other poultry birds and by-products from the provinces of “ Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Laguna, Sultan Kudarat, Benguet, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Isabela, Quezon, Kalinga, Aurora, Ilocos Norte, Capiz and Batangas” was issued.
This measure, the EO said, will prevent the entry of the Avian influenza virus after reported cases in some nearby provinces were confirmed.
Under Section 1 of both EOs, it was disclosed that various necessary documentary requirements should be presented in the Animal Quarantine Checkpoints located in strategic areas in the province. This includes veterinary health certificate, BAI shipping permit, animal welfare registration certificate, certificate of disease-free status, handler’s license certificate of registration, transport carrier registration certificate, certificate of acceptance, among others.
It was also stated in both of the EOs that “all transhipments going to Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Abra, and Benget shall take the TPLEX Urdaneta Exit.”
“The State is mandated to protect and promote the right to health of the people under Article 2, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, and LGUs are empowered to exercise necessary, appropriate and incidental powers for its efficient governance in promotion of general welfare, as provided by Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991,” the EO disclosed.
(Ruby R. Bernardino/Pangasinan PIO)
