LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Cordillera Administrative Regional Advisory Committee for Animal Disease Control and Eradication (RAC-ADCE) conducted a meeting to lessen and eradicate zoonotic diseases on November 8, 2024, at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Dr. Maureen De Vera Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Benguet State University, and current RAC-ADCE Chairman facilitated the meeting which was attended by staff from the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera (DA-CAR), provincial veterinary offices, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the National Meat Inspection Service–CAR (NMIS-CAR), and other partner agencies, such as Department of Health (DOH) and Police Regional Office – Cordillera (PROCOR).
Topics discussed included updates on the region’s rabies and avian influenza cases. “As of January to November 7, 2024 data, there are 41 rabies cases; six (6) in Abra, two (2) in Apayao, eight (8) in Ifugao, including 25 in Kalinga, 16 in Tabuk, while Baguio City, Benguet, and Mountain Province have no cases,” Dr. Henry Gwyn Salasa from the DA-CAR, Regulatory Division shared during the meeting. “For the Avian Influenza, there were two reported positive cases, one each in Benguet and Kalinga Provinces,” he added.
Dr. Mark Barreyro from BAI also discussed the Vaccination Guidelines for African swine fever. Likewise, personnel from other partner agencies such as the Baguio City Veterinary and Agriculture Office, DOH, NMIS-CAR, and PROCOR presented updates on their programs and activities regarding animal diseases.
DA-CAR Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulations and Integrated Laboratory Dr. Arlene M. Sagayo also emphasized the rabies eradication target until 2030.
Additionally, Dr. Kevin Jim Luna, DA-CAR Regional Livestock Coordinator presented some of the issues concerning the transport of livestock commodities including the requirements.
Further, the members of the RAC-ADCE committee will ensure the practice of biosecurity among the merchants, and livestock raisers while maintaining rigid inspections in the checkpoints, especially in the regional entry points. The collaboration and coordination of the members including the nearby regions will continuously push for animal disease-free regions.
Other key officials who joined the meeting and discussions were Ms. Marlyn C. Tejero, DA-CAR Regulatory Division Chief, Dr. Rodel Bagawi from PVO Mountain Province, Dr. Purita Lesing from PVO Benguet, Dr. Delfina Layagan from BAI-CAR, Mr. Roy Fiaching from DOH-CAR and Police Capt. Mark Louis Joves from PROCOR. By Tan Dulag
