Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s initiative in addressing the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF) and other swine diseases continues to get the backing of the Cebu Provincial Board (PB).
During a special session held on Tuesday, April 11, the 16th PB approved the measure institutionalizing the no-culling policy of the province while reminding the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and other national agencies to coordinate and consult first with local government units in the province before implementing their programs and projects.
Authored by third district PB Member Victoria Corominas-Toribio, the measure authorized Gov. Garcia to undertake the necessary steps to protect the interest of the Province in relation to the regulations and policies implemented by the BAI concerning the ASF.
“Whereas, there is a need to stop the BAI from implementing its program/policy/regulations concerning African Swine Fever so that the interests of the Province of Cebu and its constituents will be protected,” a part of the measure stated.
Another measure, this time, the establishment of a biosecurity and control measures for the prevention of the ASF and other swine diseases within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Cebu, and providing penalties for every violation thereof was approved. This means that the new policy adopted from Gov. Garcia’s Executive Order No. 10, Series of 2023 is now a local law.
The same measure, which was certified as urgent by the governor, was also authored by Corominas-Toribio.
In the said ordinance, violators will get a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not exceeding a year or both while public officers and employees will face administrative charges and without prejudice, a civil and criminal sanction.
The LGUs and their respective police shall also work together in setting up checkpoints and other biosecurity and control measures while tasking the latter to monitor the strict implementation of the ordinance.
Meantime, all puroks are required to grow organic ingredients to be utilized as feeds for swine populations within their corresponding areas.
Other highlights of the ordinance include the creation of a Barangay African Swine Fever Task Force in the towns and cities of the Province, which will be chaired by the barangay captain, with a barangay kagawad as vice chairperson and purok leaders as members; implementation of biosecurity and control measures such as intensified surveillance and monitoring, isolation, cleaning and disinfection, reporting, prohibition of swill (lamaw) feeding, among others; and the obligations of backyard farm owners.
Last week, the PB also approved the ordinance penalizing national agencies and or government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) which will not consult the Capitol and other LGUs in the implementation of programs and projects. A fine of P5,000 is charged per violation or an imprisonment of not more than one year or both, without prejudice to the filing of an administrative charge for abuse of authority and violation of the ordinance.
Under the leadership of Gov. Garcia, the Cebu Provincial Government is leading the way for other local government units to follow in championing local governance and local autonomy, as stated, enshrined, and protected by RA 7160 which has ensured the devolution of powers and functions of the national government in favor of the LGUs. | Vanessa L. Almeda with reports from VGO