BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur – As part of the regional activities in the agricultural sector in battling African Swine Fever (ASF) since it reached the Philippines in 2019, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) XIII conducted the Training on Specimen Collection for Barangay Biosecurity Officers (BBOs) on March 3-4, 2022 at Bonsay Riverview Inn.

There were 24 individuals who participated in the two-day lecture and hands-on demonstration activity. This is the first of the 14 batches which will be conducted from March to June 2022 covering the provinces of Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte, and two cities of Bislig and Butuan.

It aims to capacitate the BBOs to gain additional knowledge and skills on collecting specimen for laboratory testing, appropriate handling of specimen and restraining technique, and preparation of animals for collection. In obtaining the right specimen, the laboratory test will be a help and will be used to detect animals that have survived infection with ASF and in surveys to determine whether the disease might be endemic in an area.

The resource persons were Emmylou C. Calilan, Ruben T. Mananquil, and Rodelo P. Madiano from the Provincial Veterinary Office. Lovely P. Acevedo, Insurance Underwriter of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), also talked about insurance.

The event was spearheaded by the Partnership Accreditation Services Section (PASS) through Florita G. Lozada, Agriculturist II and livestock point person. Further, this is in support to the National Livestock Program (NLP).