Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p080927.htm&no=40
IA Press Release
2008/09/27
Sabangan creates Municipal Avian Flu Task Force
by Juliet Saley
Sabangan, Mt. Province (27 September) -- In support to the Avian Influenza Protection Program of the national government and to promote a disease-free community for the common welfare of its constituents, the Sangguniang Bayan here passed last September 8 an ordinance known as "The Municipal Avian and Pandemic Influenza Prevention and Control Ordinance".
The Municipal Bird Flu Task Force is created to oversee the implementation of the provisions of the ordinance and other related activities as may be provided by implementing guidelines promulgated by higher authorities.
The Task Force shall be chaired by the Municipal Mayor and the Municipal Vice Mayor as the vice chairman. Members include the Chairman of the SB Committee on Health, Chairman of the SB Committee on Agriculture, Municipal Health Officer, ABC President, two NGO representatives, Municipal Information Officer designate, DENR-CENR Officer, MLGOO and DepEd District Supervisor.
The Task Force is tasked to formulate the Bird Flu Preparedness and Response Plan based on the given four stages; carry out the proper implementation of the Bird Flu Prevention Plan at the municipal level; conduct seminars, information campaigns on Bird Flu prevention and preparedness and what to do during outbreak; to establish linkages with stakeholders to gather support for the success of the plan; to enhance biosecurity practices in all levels of poultry production including processing plants, live broiler markets and all other poultry holding; and to accomplish data gathering to establish the poultry demographics and epidemiological profile based on poultry disease surveillance for provincial monitoring and for consolidation by the Provincial Bird Flu Task Force.
The ordinance prohibits anybody to offer commerce, engage in trade or have in possession any exotic species of poultry wildlife. It shall be accordingly penalized as stipulated in chapter IV in R.A. 9147. This activity shall be enforced in coordination with the local Philippine National Police.
It also prohibits the possession or to keep unregistered exotic birds for whatever purpose or intent.
The ordinance tasked the local government unit to assist in the implementation of additional prohibitions to safeguard against Avian Influenza like the prohibition on offer for sale and sale of live chickens in the market while there is a threat of bird flu; placing chickens, ducks and pigs in the market while in the same area, cages or pens; and prohibition on chickens to roam freely within the infected and quarantine areas.
To maximize efforts at the grassroots level, the organized Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2003-95 shall be mobilized to provide assistance to the LGUs in the implementation of the Local Avian Influenza Prevention Program.
Any person, firm, poultry trader or farm owner violating this ordinance shall be fined of not less than P1,000.00 but not more than P10,000.00 or imprisonment of not less than two months but not more than one year or both upon the discretion of the court.
Even as there is no case of avian flu yet in the country, the government is taking a pro-active measures to prepare the local government units and the communities for any eventuality. (PIA MP)
IA Press Release
2008/09/27
Sabangan creates Municipal Avian Flu Task Force
by Juliet Saley
Sabangan, Mt. Province (27 September) -- In support to the Avian Influenza Protection Program of the national government and to promote a disease-free community for the common welfare of its constituents, the Sangguniang Bayan here passed last September 8 an ordinance known as "The Municipal Avian and Pandemic Influenza Prevention and Control Ordinance".
The Municipal Bird Flu Task Force is created to oversee the implementation of the provisions of the ordinance and other related activities as may be provided by implementing guidelines promulgated by higher authorities.
The Task Force shall be chaired by the Municipal Mayor and the Municipal Vice Mayor as the vice chairman. Members include the Chairman of the SB Committee on Health, Chairman of the SB Committee on Agriculture, Municipal Health Officer, ABC President, two NGO representatives, Municipal Information Officer designate, DENR-CENR Officer, MLGOO and DepEd District Supervisor.
The Task Force is tasked to formulate the Bird Flu Preparedness and Response Plan based on the given four stages; carry out the proper implementation of the Bird Flu Prevention Plan at the municipal level; conduct seminars, information campaigns on Bird Flu prevention and preparedness and what to do during outbreak; to establish linkages with stakeholders to gather support for the success of the plan; to enhance biosecurity practices in all levels of poultry production including processing plants, live broiler markets and all other poultry holding; and to accomplish data gathering to establish the poultry demographics and epidemiological profile based on poultry disease surveillance for provincial monitoring and for consolidation by the Provincial Bird Flu Task Force.
The ordinance prohibits anybody to offer commerce, engage in trade or have in possession any exotic species of poultry wildlife. It shall be accordingly penalized as stipulated in chapter IV in R.A. 9147. This activity shall be enforced in coordination with the local Philippine National Police.
It also prohibits the possession or to keep unregistered exotic birds for whatever purpose or intent.
The ordinance tasked the local government unit to assist in the implementation of additional prohibitions to safeguard against Avian Influenza like the prohibition on offer for sale and sale of live chickens in the market while there is a threat of bird flu; placing chickens, ducks and pigs in the market while in the same area, cages or pens; and prohibition on chickens to roam freely within the infected and quarantine areas.
To maximize efforts at the grassroots level, the organized Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2003-95 shall be mobilized to provide assistance to the LGUs in the implementation of the Local Avian Influenza Prevention Program.
Any person, firm, poultry trader or farm owner violating this ordinance shall be fined of not less than P1,000.00 but not more than P10,000.00 or imprisonment of not less than two months but not more than one year or both upon the discretion of the court.
Even as there is no case of avian flu yet in the country, the government is taking a pro-active measures to prepare the local government units and the communities for any eventuality. (PIA MP)