Benguet eyes amendment to quarantine law
BENGUET Province is eyeing to amend its newly approved quarantine law to include shipping permit and regulatory fees for animals.
On Monday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan together with the provincial finance, veterinarian and the legal officer discuss the animal quarantine regulations of the province of Benguet.
Chair on committee on agriculture and proponent of the ordinance Board Member Robert Namoro said they have set a meeting next week with legal officers and concerned parties to discuss particularly in the reduction of the regulatory fees of the Benguet Quarantine Ordinance.
“There is a specific section the committee on agriculture in particular is contemplating on amending several section of the ordinance, more so, of the finding on the chicken dung issue. So that is the reason why we are again calling for a meeting on April 10 for all stakeholders once and for all to clear issues what would be the amendment,” Namoro said.
During the board session, chicken dung traders graced the meeting expressing
their concern on the collection of fees with the suggestion by the committee for the traders to formally submit its recommendations.
Provincial Veterinary Office head Miriam Tiongan mentioned they are having a hard time especially on the chicken dung while other animals and byproducts are complying with the ordinance.
The PVO reported some 178 violators of the ordinance from the first to fourth offense.
The City Government of Baguio also called the attention of Benguet regarding the ordinance and has sought to amend section eight which include the regulatory fees of the ordinance filed by Councilors Elmer Datuin, Edgar Avila and Peter Fianza signed by Vice-mayor Edison Bilog and Mayor Mauricio Domogan on March 12.
Previously, series of meetings and consultation were conducted by the Sangguniang Panglunsod together with concerned stakeholders and the Provincial Board to facilitate the review of policies and the resolution of issues relative to the implementation of the ordinance.
Excerpts of the issues, concerns and recommendations presented during the public consultation as well as documents were transmitted to the Province of Benguet for their consideration to support the plea of the affected livestock, fish and meat product dealers.
The City Council lauded the ordinance promoting public health, safety and welfare but it should not cover meat and meat products because transport permitting from point of origin has already provided sufficient measures or safeguards which may even compromised if the products are compelled to be physically inspected in the checkpoints established by the ordinance.