PALALAKASIN ng Department of Agriculture (DA) ang kanilang laboratory network system para sa kanilang patuloy na paglaban sa infectious diseases katulad ng African Swine Fever (ASF) sa mga alagang baboy, avian influenza (AI) sa mga manukan, at foot and mouth disease (FMD) sa iba pang alagang hayop, panama disease sa saging, at fall armyworm (FAW) sa mais, sibuyas at marami pang iba.

“We are adopting an integrated ‘OneDA’ laboratory masterplan that incorporates international bio-risk management standards and best practices on biosafety and biosecurity measures, regulations, and certifications,” ani Agriculture Secretary William Dollente Dar, ayon sa nakapaloob sa Department Order No. 1, Series of 2021, noong Enero 5, 2021.

Ang ‘OneDA’ ay masterplan na ipinanukala ng DA’s Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) matapos ang mga konsultasyon kasama ang concerned DA national laboratories, bureaus, at regional field offices (RFOs), sa pamamagitan ng tulong ng United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Sinabi pa ni Secretary Dar, ang plano ay makatutulong sa pangunahing national and regional laboratory services sa paghihigpit sa biosafety at biosecurity measures laban sa plant and animal diseases, kasama na ang smuggling.

“This comes at an opportune time when we are elevating our concerted response against the ASF with the vigorous implementation of ‘Bantay ASF sa Barangay’ (BABay ASF) Program, that actively involves local government units (LGUs), the private sector and veterinary groups in disease detection, control, and prevention, and subsequent hog repopulation. With these laboratories, we are confident that we will win this time around,” dagdag pa niya.

Ang nasabing plano para sa pagbabalangkas ng mga polisya ay papalapit sa pagtatayo ng bago o pag-upgrade ng kasalukuyang national laboratories ng DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), at Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).

Kasama rin dito ang integrated laboratories ng DA-RFOs gayundin ang regional animal disease diagnostic laboratory (RADDL), feed chemical analysis laboratory (FCAL), regional crop protection center (RCPC), at regional soils laboratory (RSL). (JOEL O. AMONGO)