President Duterte has ordered the creation of the National Task Force on Animal-Borne Diseases (NTFAD) to prevent the entry of illnesses like the African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country.
In his Executive Order (EO) No. 105 signed on February 21 but was only made public Thursday, Duterte said the current outbreak of ASF in the country poses “catastrophic” effects on the pig industry and requires drastic control and preventive measures.
The Philippines confirmed its first case of hog disease in September 2019, prompting a ban on meat products from countries where it was first reported. The outbreak was first confirmed in Luzon where thousands of pigs have been culled to contain the disease.
FUNCTIONS
Duterte, in his EO, ordered the NTFAD to formulate policies and measures to address issues relating to animal-borne diseases. He also required them to form a framework to control and eradicate such diseases which can include protocols concerning quarantine, surveillance, and proper waste disposal.
The task force is likewise directed to develop programs to help hog raisers affected by ASF by granting financial assistance or providing livelihood alternatives and skills training.
Members of the task force are also tasked to develop and implement a national public awareness campaign on animal-borne diseases.
MEMBERS
Under the EO, the NTFAD will be chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture (DA) while the Secretary of Health (DoH) will serve as the vice-chairperson.
Other members of the task force are the executive secretary; and the secretaries of the departments of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Trade and Industry (DTI), Finance (DOF), Budget and Management (DBM), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The secretaries of the departments of Transportation (DOTr), Natioanl Defense (DND), Labor and Employment (DoLE), Justice (DoJ), and Tourism (DoT) are also members of the task force.
The NTFAD will also be composed of the Bureau of Customs commissioner, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authrority director-general.
President Duterte on Tuesday met with Agriculture Secretary Dar, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, and local government officials at Malacañang to discuss the ASF outbreak.
Early this month the President ordered all government agencies and local government units to comply with the national zoning plan for ASF in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
