Prov’l vet: Animal deaths

CEBU, Philippines - Alarming but not critical.

This is the assessment of the Cebu provincial veterinarian on the deaths of animals in northern Cebu due to an unusually cold weather condition.

"Alarming incident pa ni siya; in fact, wala pay na-estimate nga damage sa kahayopan kay og naay incoming, ma-add pa man," said Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy.

This, as Cebu City Veterinarian Dr. Pilar Romero said the situation in the upland barangays is "getting better", after inspecting barangays Tagba-o, Malubog, Taptap, Adlaon, Paril and Kantipla.

"Okay na ang mga kahayopan didto (The animals there are okay already)," she said.

Romero said they distributed supplements and vitamins to some farmers in the six barangays for farm animals as part of their "oral rehydration therapy".

She and her team also briefed the farmers and the barangays officials on how to properly manage and care for the animals.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Agriculturist Joey Baclayon has proposed the distribution of vegetable seeds worth P1.9-million to farmers in 31 barangays placed under a state of calamity due to cold weather.

"Gi-process na ang among request para sa budget ani, ug mahatag ta ni sa mga affected barangays early February kon ma-approve na," he said.

Baclayon said farmers would also be given commercial fertilizers, adding that they should prepare their lands as early as now for planting.

Vincoy said that as of last Wednesday, 17 cows, a carabao, a goat, and a horse already died in Barangay Gaas, Balamban, Cebu.

She added that due to the alarming deaths of farm animals in Balamban, they are now monitoring the town.

"Nanawag naman mi, nangayo'g (We called and asked for) updates kay naa may (because there are) initial logistics ang (from the) Balamban (government).  Mo-support lang mi og unsa," said Vincoy.

She confirmed that the deaths of animals were a result of the extreme weather experienced by the town.

"The problem here is we are a tropical country, nipis lang ang mga hair sa atong cows diri, dili parehas sa Siberia, China, Mongolia nga mga baga og hairs so part siya sa insulation nila," said Vincoy.

She said that aside from Balamban, there were also initial reports of dead animals in other mountain barangays of the province.

"Naay initial reports sa Compostela on Thursday, but we have to confirm them first," she said.

Vincoy said that if an animal's death is due to hypothermia, it could still be slaughtered for consumption, but only by the family of the owner.

"Actually, pwede ra man na siya (they can) ma-slaughter, bentaha siya nga wa siya mo-agi og sakit (if the animal did not have any disease). For consumption lang sa pamilya, dili ipamaligya sa merkado kay risky mana siya kay ang (only by the family and not for sale as only the) owners ra man ang nakahibaw kon unsay namatyan ana. Naa man po'y uban nga namatay tungod kay nakimpang, so okay ra (know what caused the animal's death.  There are those that died after spraining itself, so that is okay for consumption)," she said.

Vincoy said that if it is unclear what caused the animal's death, it must be buried immediately.

In Cebu City, Baclayon said that of the 31 barangays placed under a state of calamity, they would prioritize 15 that are "severely affected".

They are barangays Sudlon 1, Sudlon 2, Tabunan, Bonbon, Lusaran, Adlaon, Sirao, Tagba-o, Taptap, Guba, Cambinocot, Paril, Budlaan, Pung-ol Sibugay and Sinsin, which suffered P11.6 million in damage to crops and loss of livestock.

Based on an earlier report his office made, at least 36 animals were found dead in the said barangays, possibly due to hypothermia.

Baclayon said the vegetable seeds would include string beans, tomato, lettuce, eggplant, ampalaya, cabbage, and red pepper.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he is waiting for national agency Department of Agriculture to approach the City and offer help.

"Kanindot anang (It is nice to have the) seedlings, gamit man na. Walay problema. Ang akong gihuwat kaning sa (they are useful. I have no problem with that.  What I am waiting is for the) Department of Agriculture nga mogasto (to set aside funds for this)," he said.

He said he expects a report from the City's Hillyland Commission, which includes the City Agriculture office, after sorting the situation out.

Romero, on the other hand, said they would continue their assessment next week by visiting the City's other mountain barangays to check on the animals there.- Kristine B. Quintas, Staff Member,  and Melissa Q. Cabahug and Jean Marvette A. Demecillo Usj-r Masscomm Interns /RHM (FREEMAN)