IN THE wake of threats posed by the African swine fever (ASF), the Mandaue City Council asked for Capitol’s help in training its officials and personnel in responding to emergencies affecting livestock.
The City Council approved on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, a resolution stating that Mandaue personnel undergo training on the Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (Legs) to be provided by the Cebu Provincial Veterinary Office.
The Council approved the resolution in anticipation of the “emerging crises affecting the lives of hog raisers, growers and communities in Mandaue City as a result of the impact of the African swine fever outbreak in some parts of Luzon.”
The training would prepare the City Government to respond to livestock emergencies like the ASF.
“While it is imperative that precautionary measures and preventive actions are in place, it is also necessary and important to be ready to respond, plan for early recovery, reconstruction and identify risk once the ASF and other possible natural and man-made disasters occur in the City of Mandaue affecting the livestock and lives of the communities,” the resolution read.
The Department of Agriculture’s Legs is a set of international guidelines and standards for the design, implementation, and assessment of livestock interventions to assist people affected by humanitarian crises and other natural causes.
It aims to support both the saving of lives and saving of livelihoods through two key strategies: assisting in the identification of the most appropriate livestock interventions in emergencies and providing standards, indicators and guidance for these interventions based on good practices.
The guidelines are concerned not only with the immediate emergency response but also with the activities during the recovery phase and links to long-term development.
The resolution authored by Councilor Andreo Icalina states that the training should be provided to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Veterinary’s Office, City Agriculture Office and other partner agencies of the City.
City Hall strictly prohibits the entry of live pigs and other meat products coming from Luzon and other affected areas without proper documents as a preventive measures against the ASF. (KFD)