by Fernan A. Gianan
Last week, the new commander of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division based in Camarines Sur, Brig. Gen. Henry Robinson Jr., visited the island province of Catanduanes not only to visit his troops but to get to know local leaders.
The military official first met with members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Catanduanes chapter headed by Mayor Peter Cua at Kemji Resort and Restaurant.
A day later, he paid a courtesy call on Governor Joseph Cua at the latter’s office at the provincial capitol.
Robinson served as assistant division commander of the 7th Infantry Division; the head of the 702nd Infantry Brigade and commander of Task Force Davao of the 10th Infantry Division; and the 23rd and 29th Infantry Battalions of the 4th Infantry Division.
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Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) substation in Virac last week confiscated smuggled pork meat at the capital town’s port as the provincial government of Catanduanes began implementing a temporary ban on the entry of hogs, pork and pork byproducts due to the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Together with MEPU Catanduanes and personnel of the Provincial Veterinary Office, the coast guard seized about 6.5 kilos of port meat found inside an ice chest loaded on a 10-wheeler truck.
The confiscation is pursuant to Executive Order No. 021, series of 2020, issued by Governor Joseph Cua last June 15.
Citing the urgent need to institute safety measures to protect the interest and general welfare of the populace, particularly the livestock industry in the province, the governor declared the ban on the entry of live pigs, fresh or frozen pork, and all pork byproducts.
The order also activated the ASF task forces at all levels and mobilized them to monitor the hog population in all barangays for signs and symptoms of ASF or any unusual deaths and report the findings to the PVO for validation and collection of lab specimens.
It also directed LGUs, in coordination with the PVO, PCG and PNP, to establish checkpoints to monitor, inspect and confiscate all shipments of live pigs, pork and pork byproducts, with the province to manage the main ports of entry.
The chief executive also issued a separate order adopting guidelines and implementing measures pertaining to the ASF Protection Program and constituting the Provincial ASF Task Force.
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Congressman Hector Sanchez is expected to make the most of his stay here in the province after spending most of the past quarantine months in Metro Manila.
The absence of the island’s representative in Congress has been the subject of speculation and criticism in social media.
Much of his public appearances this week would be partly to show he has the Catandunganons’ concerns at heart and is working to secure funds for much-needed projects and programs.
Out of the public eye, though, there will be meetings with allies, some of them new, in the light of recent political developments.
As to who will man the congressional district office, which has been closed for the past weeks, the good solon will most likely answer before his departure from the island.
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THE MAN OF THE HOUSE. Tony had just finished reading a new book titled, You Can Be The Man of Your House.
He stormed to his wife in the kitchen and announced: “From now on, you need to know that I am the man of this house and my word is law. You will prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I’m finished eating my meal, you will serve me a delicious dessert. After dinner, you are going to go upstairs with me and make love the way that I want. Then, you are going to draw me a bath so I can relax. You will wash my back and towel me dry and bring me my robe. Then, you will massage my feet and hands. Then tomorrow, just take a wild guess who’s going to dress me and comb my hair?”
Without skipping a beat his wife answered: “The funeral director would be my first guess.”