DA upgrades breed of animals in Central Luzon

By Rebecca Grace S. David

The Department of Agriculture’s Regional Livestock Division maintains multiplier farms and livestock production centers to improve the reproductive potential of local breed of small and large animals.

The DA maintains a multiplier farm in Central Luzon, where 41 purebred sheep have produced 22 offsprings, of which eight have been given to farmers.

Over the past seven months, the breeders in their livestock production centers consisted of 60 head of goat, 47 sheep, 43 swine, 246 chicken and 84 ducks.

Some 2,305 offsprings of their chicken and 192 head of goats and sheep have been distributed to farmer-beneficiaries.

Artificial insemination has also been done on 2,462 cattle, 4,351 carabaos, 1,300 swine and 64 goats. From these inseminated animals were produced upgraded breed of 1,118 cattle, 1,507 carabaos, 9,236 swine and 79 goats.

DA Regional Director Andrew Villacorta said to rid and control animal diseases, animal vaccination, deworming, and treatment were administered on dogs, swine, sheep, goats, carabaos, and cattle. This

is aside from the laboratory testing of 1,107 sick animals to determine their illness.

The DA also conducted meat processing seminars where the participants included 640 wives, out-of-school youth, persons with disabilities and members of cooperatives. (CLJD/RGSD-PIA3)

Food expo to highlight Meat Safety Consciousness Week in CL

By Rebecca Grace S. David

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Oct 10 (PIA) -- A three-day food expo will highlight the observance of the 20th Meat Safety Consciousness Week in Central Luzon.

"Forty exhibitors, who are members of the Pampanga Meat Processors as well as small and medium-scale food producers, will sell their products at discounted price during the fair," said Clarita Sangcal,

regional technical director of the National Meat Inspection Service.

Sangcal also said, "A motorcade will likewise be held within the City of San Fernando in Pampanga to create awareness of the need to consume only safe meat."

Slaughterhouse operators will attend a seminar on "The Animal Welfare Act" on October 16 where they will be taught proper slaughter, distribution, sale, and storage of meat.

October 15-19 has been declared annually as Meat Safety Consciousness Week which is enclosed in the celebration of Consumer Month every October.

This year’s theme is “Karneng Ligtas at Sapat, Kabalikat ang Lahat" which it aims to gather the livestock industry together and emphasize the role of everyone to ensure the safety of meat for consumption.

(CLJD/JGB-PIA 3)

Central Luzon is now red tide free

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Oct 10 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has declared the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, and Zambales free from paralytic shellfish poison or most known as red tide.

According to the report submitted, the coastal waters of Bulacan and Bataan (towns of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal) in Manila Bay; Masinloc Bay in Zambales continue to be free from toxic red tides.

“And shellfish from the mentioned areas can now be gathered, harvested, and sold in markets for human consumption,” said BFAR.

Meanwhile, shellfishes collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; and coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

BFAR noted that all types of shellfish and Acetes ap or alamang from the said areas are not safe for human consumption.

“Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” BFAR added.