ANGELES CITY — Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. on Aug. 15 ordered the setting-up of livestock checkpoints on the city’s borders to ensure it will remain free from African swine fever (ASF).
In Memorandum Order No. 1788, Series of 2024, Lazatin instructed the Angeles City Police Office headed by PCol. Amado Mendoza, Jr. and the Angeles City Traffic Development Office led by Francis Pangilinan to set up and man border checkpoints for inspection of delivery trucks entering the city, which may be transporting livestock from ASF-positive areas from Batangas and Bulacan provinces.
“This preventive measure is to ensure that the city is free from ASF. Dahil nakasalalay po rito ang kalusugan, kaligtasan, at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan,” the mayor noted.
He said the city government is one with the Department of Agriculture in combatting the rapid spread of ASF, as the department already put up checkpoints across Luzon borders.
In the same memorandum, Lazatin urged that all hog dealers who will enter the city must present the necessary documents such as certificate of free status on ASF, vaccination record from veterinarian, and shipping permit.
Pursuant to this, the City Meat Inspection Division headed by Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel and the City Veterinary Office headed by Dr. Christian Arcilla are also on standby to support the border controls.
According to Lazatin’s chief adviser IC Calaguas, the city slaughterhouse, which is also being supervised by Manuel, is also in strict compliance with the necessary documents needed for hog dealers having official transactions with the slaughterhouse.
“Mayor Lazatin wants to be vigilant as ever. Angeles City is ASF-free, and Mayor Lazatin wants to keep it that way,” Calaguas said. Angeles CIO
