Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the opening of the first-of-its-kind modern and automated road bath disinfection facility for animal transport carrier vehicles on October 28, 2019.

The facility, which is installed at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) extension-STAR Tollway biosecurity and quarantine checkpoint in Santo Tomas, Batangas, is part of the effort of the government to avert the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) and the entry of other animal diseases.

“The facility is important to prevent the virus from spreading to any other areas. A first of its kind in the Philippines, we will see to it that we have more of this in critical and strategic areas,” Dar said.

Dar also witnessed the demonstration on the new and automated disinfection site where built-in power sprays are installed on both the ground and at both side vertical poles, resembling a carwasher.

The animal transport vehicles have to pass through the facility where the disinfection sprays automatically operate.

“This is an automated disinfection facility. Dito pa lang, kapag dumaan ang truck dito, mamatay na ang virus,” Dar explained.

The agri chief explained that there are no new outbreak areas and expressed optimism that the ASF virus will be controlled through the cooperation among stakeholders with government authorities.

Joining Dar during the opening of the were CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Arnel de Mesa, and Batangas 3rd District Representative Ma. Theresa Collantes.

According to de Mesa, a minimum of 12 automated road bath disinfection facilities will be installed in major entry and exit points CALABARZON.

“We have chosen this site because every month we expect more than 5,000 vehicles passing through this expressway and around 75 percent of these is animal transport carriers that are required to pass through this automated disinfectant spray facility,” de Mesa said. ###