To control the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in the province of Marinduque, the Agricultural Training Institute in MiMaRoPa conducted four batches of “Training on Specimen Collection for Barangay Biosecurity Officers (BBOs)” in the municipalities of Boac, Gasan, Torrijos, and Sta. Cruz on Feb. 28 – March 1, 2022; March 3-4, 2022; March 7-8, 2022; and March 10-11, 2022, respectively.
In partnership with the Provincial Veterinary Office, the participants were oriented on their roles and obligations as BBOs. Also, they were capacitated on proper collection, handling, storage, and transport of blood samples for laboratory testing. In addition, they were also informed about the documentary requirements and processes needed to get insurance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Commission (PCIC).
Ms. Trisha Kim R. Rioflorido shared, “In this training, I was able to learn and realize the importance of biosecurity and having knowledge about a certain virus. I realized that it is a must to be responsible enough to take action to prevent a devastating situation like what has happened due to the outbreak of ASF in the Philippines especially here in Marinduque. I learned how powerful awareness can be and how important it is to have or acquire accurate information to be able to help our locality. This made me realize the effect of biosecurity in keeping our locality safe”.
To perform their duties as BBOs, the participants were provided with a training kit composed of pig restrainer, vacutainer, disposable syringe, needle holder, disposable needle, alcohol, facemask, latex gloves, animal marker, tape, ice gel, ice pack, tackle box, cooler and scrub suit. These post-training support will be used by the BBOs for ASF monitoring in the province.
“Natutunan ko po kung gaano kahalaga ang tungkulin ng isang BBOs, mas lumawak pa po ang aking kaalaman pagdating sa usapin ng ASF. Nagkaroon ako ng karanasan sa tamang pagkuha ng dugo ng baboy para i-test at ang tamang pamamaraan ng pagsusuot at pagtatanggal ng Personal Protective Equipment. Nalaman ko rin ang kahalagahan ng mga programa na ipinatupad ng PCIC”, Mr. Eduardo M. Estrada, Jr. said.
The training was also implemented in support of the “BaBay ASF Program” of the Department of Agriculture to intensify the disease response of LGUs against ASF. A total of 95 BBOs attended the said training.