Sen. Bong Revilla filed a resolution (P. No. 195) calling for stricter implementation of the Provisions of Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise known as the Food Safety Act of 2013, to ensure that human health is protected and market access of locally-produced foods and food products is facilitated.
The veteran lawmaker believes that strictly implementing the Food Safety Act will ensure that the public are protected to from food-borne and water-borne illnesses and unsanitary, unwholesome, misbranded, or adulterated foods.
He filed the resolution to urge the relevant agencies to act swiftly in protecting consumers against the threats of African Swine Fever which was declared prevalent in several areas in the country by the Department of Agriculture (DA) since September this year.
African Swine Fever, a highly-contagious viral disease that causes high fever, loss of appetite, and skin and internal organ haemorrhage to pigs, warthogs, and boars, threatens the P 260-billion swine industry in the Philippines which provides livelihood to millions of Filipino families.
Roughly 65 percent, or two-thirds of the local swine industry, are comprised of small backyard raisers who will mostly absorb the negative economic impact if swine flu will not be contained.
Bong Revilla believes that adequate food safety nets and protocol are in place by virtue of R.A. 10611 to effectively prevent the proliferation of infected meat and meat products, and ensure that prevention and possible propagation of the diseases will be halted at once.
“Panahon na para mahigpit na ipatupad ang Food Safety Act para sa kaligtasan ng mga consumer lalo pa at nagkalat na ang kung anu-anong sakit na pumapasok sa ating bansa,” Revilla said.
