Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr vowed to fully operationalize the country’s “first border” control measures for food safety by early next year amid the series of threats in food security, the recent was the Philippines’ first Q fever case linked to imported goats from the United States. 

Laurel said the border control measures will not only secure the country from diseases from outside the Philippines but also ensure that local farmers are protected from persistent agricultural smuggling.

“The ‘first border’ control measures to ensure food safety and prevent the entry of plant pests and economically significant terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases.” said Laurel.

He explained that the first of five Cold Examination Facility for Agriculture (CEFA)—a sanitary/phytosanitary inspection facility for imported animal, fish, plant and agricultural products—will start operations by early next year.

The efforts, Laurel said, are done with the help of private contractors that are currently constructing a CEFA in Angat, Bulacan with equipment procurement underway to meet the operational timeline: “We expect the Angat CEFA to be operational by January or February next year.”

He said plans are also underway to open four additional CEFAs by September 2025 in Manila, Subic, Davao and General Santos City.

While the CEFAs in Angat and General Santos City will only have DA-funded laboratories, comprehensive facilities are planned for major ports and fish ports including the Manila International Container Terminal, Subic Bay International Corporation, Davao International Container Terminal, Manila South Harbor, New Cebu International Container Port, Batangas International Port, Navotas Fish Port, Iloilo International Container Port and Misamis Oriental.

Funding for the CEFA project was originally pegged at P2.3 billion last year but was reduced to P1.2 billion for the current year due to the offer of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) to host most of the facilities at local ports which the listed company operates.

Laurel said before the CEFAs commence operations, the DA will implement pre-shipment inspections in ports of origin.

“Before these facilities become operational, we will issue an administrative order on pre-shipment inspection, pending approval from the Department of Finance,” Laurel explained. 

He said pre-shipment inspections could be enforced within three months to bolster food safety measures and curb smuggling activities detrimental to local farmers and public health: “The initiative underscores government’s commitment to fortify border controls amid emerging health and economic challenges posed by imported agricultural products.”