Benguet designates 3 entry-exit points for meat transport

As part of its preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19), the Benguet provincial government has designated only three entry and exit points of vehicles carrying live animals, meat, and meat products to and from the province.
Gov. Melchor Diclas, in executive order 2020-018 signed March 17, said that all animal and meat traders must only pass through the Aspiras-Palispis and Quirino Highways, and in San Pascual, Tuba- Tubao Road.
Diclas said this is to minimize the route of vehicles transporting live animals, meat, meat products, eggs, and fish in and out of the province. 
“Designating an entrance and an exit of live animals, meat, meat products, eggs and fish to and from the province will lessen the contact/exposure between the livestock inspectors and animal shippers during inspection of such commodities in the animal quarantine checkpoints,” Diclas said.
He added the order was issued due to the lack of personal protective equipment of the personnel manning the quarantine checkpoints.
“There is a difficulty in availing personal protective equipment (face mask, sanitizers, disinfectant, etc.) for used by the personnel assigned at the animal quarantine stations, thus, limiting the entrance and exit of vehicles will minimize the need of such PPEs,” he said.
The animal traders are also subject to the requirements provided in provincial Ordinance 18-227, or the Revised Animal Quarantine Regulations of the province and other conditions to be issued by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian and other government agencies. 
The other entry-exit points going to Benguet such as in Banangan, Sablan; Pito, Bokod; Cotcot, Buguias; and in Colalo, Mankayan shall be closed to meat traders coming in to the province.
Also, animal and meat traders coming from Kennon Road shall enter via Aspiras-Palispis Highway.
Diclas said the measure do not only prevent the spread of Covid-19, which is transmitted through human to human via respiratory droplets, but also the avian influenza subtype H5N6 recently reported in Nueva Ecija. – Ofelia C. Empian