Agri com oks MOA, lease contract with Oro Lechoneros

THE City Council Committee on Agriculture and Cultural Communities, chaired by Councilor Jay R. Pascual, in its meeting last week, has endorsed for approval the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the city government and the United Lechoneros of Cagayan de Oro Association, Inc. (ULCAI).

The undertaking is in accordance with the Anti-African Swine Fever (ANTI-ASF) Preventive Program and other related activities of the national government specifically in preventing the spread of the disease in the city. 

The MOA is also pursuant to the mandate of the city in protecting its livestock industry from any outbreak and ensure the safety of the public from any harmful effects of the animal disease. During the meeting, the representative from the City Veterinary Office emphasized that the space will be used solely for blood examination of animals to check for possible presence of ASF virus. 

“Ang gamay lang na office ang gamiton kay didto man namo i-test ang dugo. Mura sya’g testing facility lang and after the result (has been released), i-distribute na dayon sa mga lechonero (ang mga baboy),” clarified the representative.

Under the MOA, the city will provide the area and building for the ULCAI to be used for the operation of different activities in the processing of blood examination for the presence of ASF.

It will also provide veterinarians and technical people to operate the laboratory. 

For its part, the ULCAI will use the facility in accordance with the regulations and policies as recommended by the City Veterinary Office.

It will also facilitate the traffic flow or movement of vehicles within the area from entrance to extraction, to waiting area after blood extraction and provide assistance to livestock/hog shippers for their convenience while waiting for the results, among others. 

The matter was referred to the Committee on Laws and Rules, chaired by Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas, for appropriate action.