The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MiMaRoPa conducted another two (2) batches of “Training on Specimen Collection for Barangay Biosecurity Officers (BBOs)” at Sunrise Village Inn, Brgy. Poblacion, Torrijos, Marinduque and Sir Brooke’s Residence, Brooke’s Point, Palawan on April 4-5, 2022; and April 7-8, 2022, respectively.

The series of training aims to capacitate and enhance the skills of BBOs in collecting specimens for laboratory testing. This includes proper preparation and handling of materials and tools, restraining of animals, collection, handling, packaging, and transport of specimens.

The BBOs are volunteer animal health workers based in their respective barangays. With this training, they can assist the Provincial Veterinary office and their respective municipal local government units on animal biosecurity concerns at the barangay level.

To perform their duties as BBOs, they were provided with a training kit consisting of a 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. The training was spearheaded by the Livestock Program of the ATI in MiMaRoPa led by Ms. Alma Mae L. Manalo, Training Specialist II/Livestock Point Person.

A total of 44 BBOs attended the said training.