As 3 areas in Southern Leyte were hit by ASF

TACLOBAN CITY – The Maasin city government, under the leadership of Mayor Nacional Mercado, is set to implement various measures aimed at preventing the potential spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) within their jurisdiction.

This decision comes following the meeting of the Southern Leyte Provincial African Swine Fever (PASF) Executive Committee on Monday (Feb.5) to assess the current ASF situation in the province.

“To control and contain the possible spread of the virus, we will activate barangay responders, strictly enforce quarantine procedures by establishing checkpoints, and implement temporary movement control measures,” Mayor Mercado said.

Additionally, regular disease and field surveillance, information dissemination, education campaigns, and policy updates related to ASF will be conducted, the city mayor added.
“Rest assured that the city government of Maasin is fully committed to ensuring the health and safety of our community,” Mercado stressed.

According to the latest update from the PASF executive committee, ASF cases have been reported in three towns within the province, namely, Silago, Malitbog, and Bontoc.
In Silago, ASF has affected five villages, displacing 99 farmers and 489 hogs.

Malitbog reported ASF cases in three villages, affecting 48 farmers and 448 hogs, while Bontoc has reported cases in two villages.

The PASF report indicates that a total of P4.28 million is required for indemnification in Silago, and P2.87 million in Malitbog, with no reported amount yet for Bontoc.

Meanwhile, after nearly 40 days since Silago Mayor Lemuel Honor declared a “pork holiday” on December 27th in eight villages, another executive order has been issued lifting the ban, as recommended by the provincial veterinary office.

However, hog slaughtering in these villages will only be allowed with a barangay certificate ensuring the health of the animal, to be slaughtered at the barangay communal slaughter house.

In Bontoc, Mayor Noel Alinsub issued an executive order(EO) enforcing a total ban on hog slaughtering for a period of seven days from February 2nd to 9th.

Additionally, selling pork and pork products is prohibited in the affected barangays for seven days, extendable for another 15 days.

The EO also restricts the entry and exit of live hogs within its effectivity period.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY– The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) office here in the region is urging operators of public utility vehicles to form cooperatives as it pushes the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

The deadline for consolidation was set to April 30 of this year, extending the original deadline of December 31, 2023.

LTFRB Regional Director Gualberto Gualberto said that failure to comply may result in enforcement actions, including halting the operation of these utility vehicles.

Gualberto encourages individual operators to visit the LTFRB office to initiate the inclusion process in the modernization program for transport cooperatives and corporations.
The PUVMP, initiated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), aims to address transportation issues and future demands in the Philippines.

Department Order No. 2017-011, as issued by DOTr, the program seeks to upgrade public transport to global standards, providing a more dignified and efficient commuting experience while promoting environmental sustainability.

In a press conference held Wednesday (Frb.7), various transport service entities in the region highlighted the program’s benefits for both passengers and drivers.

Mervin Llego of the Central Tacloban Transport Cooperative praised the program’s six-month payment moratorium, which allowed the cooperative to save funds for vehicle maintenance and driver compensation.
(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY– The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently handed over two high-specification Geographic Information System (GIS) workstations to the city government of Borongan, aimed at bolstering disaster preparedness and facilitating efficient environmental planning.

GIS is a computer-based tool utilized for capturing, storing, checking, visualizing, analyzing, and interpreting geographic data, enabling individuals to easily discern patterns and relationships within spatial information.

A ceremonial turnover and signing of the deed of donation took place on January 30 with Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, representing the city government, and Eduardo Bornilla Jr., the program manager of USAID’s Climate Resilient Cities (CRC) initiative.

Bornilla, in his remarks, emphasized that the GIS workstations will play a crucial role in processing and integrating climate data into local plans and programs, aiding in the understanding of disaster impacts on communities, and facilitating resource prioritization for adaptation efforts.

Mayor Agda, for his part, highlighted the significance of these GIS workstations in enhancing operational efficiency, promoting transparency, and facilitating decision-making processes within the city government.

The mayor further said the importance of the GIS workstations to the City Agriculture Office (CAO) and City Planning and Development Coordinator’s Office (CPDO) as they provide hardware support for mapping activities under the CRC Project.

These offices can utilize the equipment for crafting development plans, recording agricultural data – particularly for programs like Dukwag Agrikultura, maintaining databases for local farmers’ profiles, and implementing nature-based solutions to climate adaptation challenges, the city mayor said.

Mayor Agda underscored the importance of such technological advancements, emphasizing their role in streamlining structural development and planning processes, which are crucial for Borongan’s preparedness.

He recognized the potential of this infrastructure in attracting business investments to the city as this could help boost the local economic activity.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)