1st automated road disinfection facility opens at STAR Tollway

The Philippines has opened a first-of-its-kind modern and automated road bath disinfection facility for animal transport carrier vehicles amid the outbreak of African swine fever in the country.

The facility, which has been installed at the South Luzon Expressway extension-STAR Tollway biosecurity and quarantine checkpoint in Santo Tomas in Batangas, is part of government’s effort to avert the spread of ASF and the entry of other animal diseases.

“The facility is important to prevent the virus from spreading to any other areas. A first of its kind in the Philippines, we will see to it that we have more of this in critical and strategic areas,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

Dar also witnessed the demonstration on the new and automated disinfection site where built-in power sprays are installed on both the ground and at both side vertical poles, resembling a car washer.

Animal transport vehicles have to pass through the facility where the disinfection sprays automatically operate.

“This is an automated disinfection facility. As soon as the trucks pass through, the virus will be killed,” he said.

Dar maintains that there are no new outbreak areas of ASF, as he expressed optimism that the virus would be controlled through the cooperation among stakeholders and government authorities.

DA-Calabarzon regional executive director Arnel de Mesa said a minimum of 12 automated road bath disinfection facilities would be installed in major entry and exit points in the region.

“We have chosen this site because every month we expect more than 5,000 vehicles passing through this expressway and around 75 percent of these are animal transport carriers that are required to pass through this automated disinfectant spray facilities,” he said.