To acquire knowledge and skills in collecting specimens, specifically swine blood for laboratory testing, 27 Barangay Biosecurity Officers (BBOs) from District I, Naujan, endorsed by the Provincial Veterinary Office, attended the first batch of the Seminar on Specimen Collection for BBOs conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA at Cafe Hall B, ATI-MIMAROPA, Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on August 13, 2024.
During the activity, participants received updates on the African Swine Fever (ASF) situation in the MIMAROPA region, as well as government interventions , including the Bantay ASF sa Barangay Program to combat the disease.
The seminar also engaged participants with lectures on African Swine Fever-related topics presented by Dr. Vida Z. Francisco from the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office, and on Biosafety and Security for Field Responders and Farm Biosecurity Evaluation given by Dr. Anna Rochelle A. Boongaling, DVM, from the Provincial Veterinary Office.
As the highlight of the activity, the participants immersed in a hands-on activity on Blood Collection at Naujan Municipal Slaughterhouse, following biosecurity protocols, practicing proper donning and doffing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and restraint techniques.
Mr. Alvin Cueto, Business Manager of the Naujan Hog Raisers Association, shared that this one-day activity is invaluable as it empowers them to be at the forefront of safeguarding the local pig industry.
“Para sa akin napakahalaga ng activity namin na ito dahil kami yung magiging instrumento, na magiging volunteer o katulong ng ating LGU para mapangalagaan at masustain yung tamang pag-aalaga ng baboy, ma-prevent yung pagkalat ng ASF, and at the same time ay maging dagdag kaalaman sa amin na mga trainee, and in the near future, siguro kapag nagkaroon ng repopulation, malaking bagay sa amin na marunong kami sa mga ganitong pamamaraan,” he added .
Graduates of this seminar will be endorsed to the Provincial Veterinarian's Office and will be deputized as BBO volunteer workers for further endorsement at the municipal level.
