EMPHASIZING its importance to the development of the local agro-fishery industry, the top official of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is pushing for the creation of the Provincial-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (Pafes) in the province.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena, who spoke at the PVO’s consultative meeting with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Poultry and Livestock Association in Negros Occidental (Plano) at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Wednesday, said the establishment of such an extension system in the provinces is in collaboration with the DA.
Pafes aims to strengthen the extension services in the agriculture sector in preparation for the devolution of functions once the Mandanas Ruling will be implemented in 2022.
“We call for the active participation of the local government units (LGUs) in various activities relative to Pafes,” Decena said, adding that a rapid appraisal is to be conducted for existing agricultural personnel of cities and municipalities.
The results of the appraisal will be the basis of the formulation of such an extension system, the provincial veterinarian also said.
Plano, meanwhile, is composed of city veterinarians, municipal agriculturists, livestock technicians and animal extension workers provincewide and the PVO District Veterinarians and Field Unit heads.
During the meeting with them, the PVO official underscored the clear directive on the issuance of Proclamation No. 1143 or the declaration of the State of Calamity in the country due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
Decena said the move is to curtail the ASF outbreak, control the rising of pork prices, bridge the gap on hog stock due to ASF cases, and for the LGUs to initiate the restocking of hogs within their respective jurisdiction.
He also stressed the implementation and compliance of the Animal Welfare Act.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the provincial government turned over P200,000 worth of identification cards (IDs) to hog raisers through the PVO District Veterinarians and Field Unit heads.
This is in line with the provincial government’s effort to intensify its monitoring and surveillance measures to prevent the possible ASF outbreak among the province’s borders.
P500,000 worth of veterinary drugs and animal vaccines were also distributed to mobilize the paravets and livestock technicians in preparation of the rainy season.
This forms part of the Abanse Negrense development agenda under agri-livestock competitiveness improvement and food security of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, which is anchored on the principles of sustainable development and attainment of potentials of all Negrenses.