News - OCD 12 leads efforts to avert avian flu in Soccsksargen

Koronadal City (22 December) -- The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council 12, in an effort to avert the entry of fowls carrying the killer virus causing the global disease "Avian Influenza" is now preparing a Contingency Plan which the Office on Civil Defense take the lead.

OCD 12 director Minda Morante, in a briefing with members of the Technical Working Group of the Regional Avian Influenza Task Force stressed that the Arroyo government is seriously addressing this concerns in the light of early signs that the Philippines may not be exempt to becoming host to migratory birds carrying the virus.

The group is now validating suspected areas in the region identified as "highly vulnerable" to be affected with the bird flu disease, especially the areas around the periphery of the Liguasan Marsh in Maguindanao, the forestal area of coastal town Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat province, the province's multi-awarded Bird Sanctuary at barangay Baras in Tacurong City.

The task force is also evaluating reports by the Department of Agriculture that some parts of South Cotabato, Sarangani and Cotabato province may also be visited by the virus-carrier migratory birds.

At the early signs of Bird Flu and as preventive measure, Morante in a meeting with PIA, DOH, DA, PNP and DILG, recommends the 'MANOK POWER" strategy coined by OCD deputy administrator Dr. Anthony Rolando T. Golez' as a battlecry to make Philippines a bird-flu-free country.

MANOK POWER stands for: M-igratory birds should not be disturbed, touched, shot and eaten, A-ct on unexplained deaths of birds or domestic poultry (report to the local veterinary office), N-o to smuggling of wild exotic migratory birds, O-key to eat cooked chicken, K-eep the Philippines Bird Flu-Free!, P-rotect with protective gears like masks, googles, disposable gowns and gloves, O-rder not to touch or go near dead chickens, ducks, game fowls, W-rap dead chickens in impermeable plastic/wash your hands/change your clothings and wash again, E-mphasize not to eat dead Chickens! R-eport the incident Call 117 (or any designated telephone number by BAI).

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