‘Bird flu, ASF vax being smuggled in travel luggage’
Unauthorized vaccines against bird flu and African swine fever are reportedly being smuggled into the country in tumblers and plastic glasses concealed in travel luggage from Vietnam and nearby countries, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry......»»
Travel agencies group warns about cheap, illegal operators
The Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) has issued a warning about unregistered and illegal travel and tour operators in their area. These operators have been found to be offering travel and tour services without proper licensing, leading to issues such as lack of refunds, scheduling problems, and other travel arrangement discrepancies. Pia Partoza Montano, a travel agency owner and Vice-President for the Travel and Tours Sector of DTAA, emphasized the prevalence of these unauthorized operators, particularly in inbound tourism, and the challenges in monitoring and regulating them due to their large numbers. Montano also highlighted the potential risks associated with using these unregistered agencies, as they may offer cheaper rates but could lead to problems in case of incidents. To address this issue, the Department of Tourism-Davao (DOT-Davao) has introduced a QR code system to help the public verify the legitimacy of travel agencies by accessing data on authorized and registered operators. The DOT-Davao encourages travelers to transact with accredited enterprises to ensure the quality and reliability of their travel arrangements. Currently, there are at least 109 registered travel and tour agencies in Davao City under DOT-Davao's accreditation. The DOT-Davao also provides information on the requirements for registration and renewal for travel agencies on their official website. This warning serves as a reminder for the public to be cautious and discerning when engaging with travel and tour operators to avoid falling victim to unauthorized and illegitimate services......»»
Pampanga RHUs get 20T vials of flu vax
Pampanga RHUs get 20T vials of flu vax.....»»
Understanding the Texas Bird Flu Case: Human Transmission and Contagiousness of Avian Influenza
Bird flu, a disease primarily affecting birds, has recently been detected in a person in Texas, marking the second case of avian influenza in the.....»»
Leyte mayors create task forces vs bird flu
Amid the reported cases of avian influenza or bird flu in Kananga town in Leyte, the mayors of two other towns in the province have created task forces to implement measures to prevent the spread of the disease......»»
Cows in Texas and Kansas test positive for highly pathogenic bird flu
In a concerning development, wild migratory birds are suspected to have spread a deadly strain of bird flu to dairy cows in Texas and Kansas......»»
Benguet now bird flu-free
The Department of Agriculture has declared Benguet cleared of bird flu after the 11 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 recorded in the province were contained and prevented from spreading......»»
7 Negros Oriental towns, cities closely alerted vs. bird flu
7 Negros Oriental towns, cities closely alerted vs. bird flu.....»»
Philippines bans poultry imports from Japan due to bird flu outbreak
MANILA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products from Japan due to an outbreak of bird flu there, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture said Thursday. The department said Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel signed the order on Wednesday to immediately suspend the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearanc.....»»
Philippines bans poultry imports from Japan due to bird flu outbreak
MANILA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products from Japan due to an outbreak of bird flu there, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture said Thursday. The department said Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel signed the order on Wednesday to immediately suspend the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearanc.....»»
10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»
Barmm measles vax drive reaches nearly 1M
Barmm measles vax drive reaches nearly 1M.....»»
Ilocos Norte health chief: Avail of free vax vs pertussis
Ilocos Norte health chief: Avail of free vax vs pertussis.....»»
Agoda’s Eco Deals Survey: 4 in 5 Travelers Care About More Sustainable Travel
As Pinoy travelers venture to explore new horizons, they are increasingly mindful of the potential impact of their choices. According to a survey conducted by digital travel platform Agoda, 92% of Filipino travelers care about more sustainable travel. Respondents highlighted that financial incentives, the availability of sustainable travel packages, and clearer guidance on sustainable travel […].....»»
The Mental Wellness Odyssey: Unveiling Travel’s Transformative Power
In our hectic world, travel transcends leisure, impacting mental health beyond its scenic and cultural appeal, as supported by scientific evidence. Escape Stress: Travel breaks routine, offering a refreshing respite from daily demands, reducing stress. Joyful Exploration: Experiences, not possessions, bring happiness. Travel’s thrill and diversity elevate joy. Mindful Journey: Travel promotes mindfulness, offering moments […].....»»
ASF vaccine available by yearend
The wait for the vaccine for African swine fever (ASF), which has decimated over three million pigs in the country, would be over within the year, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr......»»
Sagay LGU-owned piggery farm free from ASF: PVO
Sagay LGU-owned piggery farm free from ASF: PVO.....»»
ASF outbreak logged in Occidental Mindoro
African swine fever continues to wreak havoc in the country’s hog industry, with Occidental Mindoro becoming the latest to report an ASF outbreak, the Department of Agriculture said yesterday......»»
USDA to test ground beef in U.S. states with outbreaks of bird flu in dairy cows
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is stepping up its efforts to ensure the safety of the meat supply in states with outbreaks of bird.....»»
Smuggled onions booming online
Smuggled and imported onions being sold online have contributed to the slump in the farmgate price of local bulbs, according to a farmers’ group......»»
Customs seizes P18 billion smuggled goods in Q1
The Bureau of Customs confiscated P18 billion in smuggled goods in the first quarter as the entry of illegal items into the country remains a problem......»»