Pangasinan remains FMD-free
Counting its blessings, the province of Pangasinan remains certified free from the dreaded Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
Dr. Benedicto Perez, provincial veterinarian, said the national FMD Task Force again formally declared the province free from FMD last December 16.
Perez thanked Gov. Victor Agbayani for the latter’s support which enabled the office of the province veterinarian to establish and maintain at least six checkpoints to prevent the entry of FMD-affected animals in the province.
The checkpoints are positioned in Carmen (Rosales); Umingan, Bayambang; provincial boundary along Camiling (Tarlac); Basista and San Fabian.
Perez said the presence of the checkpoints effectively enabled his office to monitor the animals being transported into and from Pangasinan.
He said there has been no reported FMD case last year as well as this year.
The task force, he said, does not monitor the existence of FMD alone but also the possible emergence of avian flu in the country.
Meanwhile, Perez said Gov. Agbayani has directed his office and other related agencies to closely monitor migratory birds and fowls being transported.
The Bureau of Animals and Industry under the department of Agriculture provided staff that will monitor the entry of wild fowls in the province at the established checkpoints.
“We have been also conducting seminars and information disseminations (on bird flu) so that the people will no longer panic once the avian flu enters the province,” he said.
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