OCCIDENTAL MINDORO – A total of 40 Barangay Biosecurity Officers (BBOs) were equipped with the necessary skills during the last two batches of Training on Specimen Collection at Brgy. Buenavista, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and Brgy. Poblacion, Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro on June 6-7, 2022; and June 9-10, 2022, respectively.

Dr. Vida Z. Francisco from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office and Dr. Shynie Vee Telmo from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory served as the Resource Speakers of the said two-day training.

During the training the participants learned and performed the proper preparation and handling of materials and tools, restraining of animals, collection, handling, packaging, and transport of specimens.

Also, they were given training kits 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 will be used by the BBOs for ASF monitoring at the barangay level.

“Sabi ko nga po sa lahat ng training na nattendan ko, ito po ang pinakakakaibang training na nadaluhan ko. Sabi ko nga po 5% lang yung knowledge na dala ko pero after the training ay loaded na po ako ng kaalaman na higit pa sa 5% na dala ko and Im very excited umuwi para maishare po ito sa community namin dahil malaking tulong po ito sa aming kabuhayan,” Ms. Gracelyn Robles said.

A total of 40 BBOs attended the training.