TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Councilor Juan Tomas Duyan has proposed an ordinance to establish Animal Quarantine Checkpoints in Tabuk City, Kalinga, aimed at controlling and preventing the spread of contagious and zoonotic diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), bird flu, and the Newcastle Disease (avian pest).
With Central Luzon experiencing the highest number of incidents, these checkpoints will serve as a critical line of defense to protect both the local animal industry and public health.
The proposal highlights the constitutional duty to safeguard public health, as well as the need for vigilant monitoring and inspection of animal movement.
Quarantine checkpoints will be set up at key entry and exit points across various barangays, including Spring, Malalao, Dupag, Lanna, Cudal, Balong, San Julian, Cabaruan, Talacca, and Agbannawag.
The checkpoints will also complement an intensified vaccination strategy and task forces dedicated to managing specific animal diseases.
Under the ordinance, livestock and poultry owners will be required to register their animals with the City Veterinary Office for a fee of ₱100 annually, with an additional inspection fee.
Pre-shipment clearance and documents from the City Veterinary Office or other municipal offices will also be mandatory. Violations, such as transporting or selling animals without the necessary documentation, will result in penalties.
A committee meeting on November 13, led by Councilor Duyan together with Councilors Samuel Sumaal and Abraham Licaycay, involved key stakeholders, including representatives from the City Veterinary Services, the Philippine National Police, CPOSO, OfCAS, CENRO, and the Provincial Veterinary Office, to resolve any concerns regarding the ordinance.
The initiative aims to enhance the local government’s capacity to protect public health and the agricultural sector from the risks posed by animal-borne diseases. By Ian Jefrey Addatu
