Negrenses
have been through tough times. Most have experienced loss
of livelihood and crippling economic conditions, when the
sugar crisis hit in the eighties. Apparently, this inculcated
in them a resilient can-do attitude that can be counted
on in times of need. When the booming livestock and poultry
industry was threatened by an outbreak of diseases, most
notably the foot-and-mouth disease, residents immediately
got together to develop a proactive solution.
“Bantay
Kasapatan” (Poultry and Livestock Watch) was thus
borne. The program provided quarantine services, which included
surveillance, identification, confirmation, control and
treatment of livestock diseases. The program increased public
awareness and participation through public forums, radio
and TV announcements, and through an “Info Caravan”,
which is the mobile information drive. The program also
brought the veterinary office closer to the people. The
local government obtained services of 746 so-called “paravets”
or “para-veterinarians,” who made frequent visits
to livestock to keep their health in check. In addition,
the program regulated commercial farm establishments, the
sale and entry of poultry and livestock products and by-products.
In
1998 there was an outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease
in Iloilo. This resulted in trade restrictions for Region
4. But because Negros Occidental was able to maintain its
‘FMD-free” status, trade restrictions were lifted
from their province.
