MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said the operation of the first Cold Examination Facility for Agriculture (CEFA) in Bulacan province will start by the start of 2025 as part of intensified measures for the country's “first border” control.
A CEFA is a sanitary phytosanitary inspection facility for imported animals, fish, plants and other agricultural products to ensure food safety and prevent the entry of plants pests and animal diseases like Q fever, which was first detected in imported goats from the United States in June.
In a news release, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said private contractors are currently constructing a CEFA in Angat 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.
Laurel said plans are also underway to open four additional CEFAs by September 2025 in Manila, Subic in Zambales, Davao Region and General Santos City.
“The initiative underscores government’s commitment to fortify border controls amid emerging health and economic challenges posed by imported agricultural products,” he said.
The DA said comprehensive facilities are also 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 PHP2.3 billion in 2023, but was reduced to PHP1.2 billion for the current year due to the offer of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) to host most of the facilities in local ports which the listed company operates.
Meanwhile, Laurel said the DA will implement pre-shipment inspections in ports of origin while waiting for the CEFAs to commence operations.
“Before these facilities become operational, we will issue an administrative order on pre-shipment inspection, pending approval from the Department of Finance. 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.” he said. (PNA)
