MANILA — The Philippines’ first border inspection facility will start operations by September 2024 as authorities move to keep animal diseases at bay and avert the entry of illegal agricultural goods, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
“Perhaps one year from September [this year] … it (the cold examination facility in agriculture or Cefa) will be operational,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a dinner chat on Wednesday evening.
The DA is developing four examination facilities in the country—in Subic, Zambales; Manila; Angat, Bulacan and General Santos City.
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Equipped with state-of-the-art testing laboratories, the Cefa is designed to thoroughly check all imported animals, fish, plants, and other agricultural commodities. It aims to strengthen the country’s capability to conduct first border inspections and prevent the proliferation of agricultural smuggling.
Earlier, Tiu Laurel said the construction of Cefa will push through as funds are available, adding that this should start “in the next few months.”
The agriculture chief said the examination facility in Angat will serve as a laboratory for rendering or waste disposal. It will also feature an incinerator to eliminate agricultural goods infected with an animal disease or have entered the country illegally.
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In July 2023, the DA and Pacific Roadlink Logistics Inc. signed a memorandum of agreement to build the examination facility situated on a 10-hectare property in Angat.
“We only need to buy equipment for the facility and once the items arrive by January or February next year, it should be up and running,” he added. INQ