BIZ BUZZ: BAI people sanctioned over Q fever mess
Some employees of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) came under fire for their alleged role in the spread of Q fever in certain parts of the country some months ago.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa revealed that some BAI personnel had been suspended and have already gone back to work.
However, nobody would lose their jobs over the issue.
To recall, the Department of Agriculture (DA) created a committee in June to look into the alleged violations and irregularities of BAI officials and/or employees due to the prevalence of the Q-Fever disease in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, that affected goats and cattle.
De Mesa declined, however, to divulge additional details such as the reasons for the suspension and whether top officials were involved.
He just said that the DA had learned many lessons from this unfortunate incident that would allow them to beef up the country’s protection against animal diseases.
And Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.’s message amid this latest mess? Accountability.
“Pag mayroon talagang kapabayaan o nagca-cause ng problema, meron talagang corresponding na aksyon from the department,” De Mesa added.
(The message of the agriculture secretary and the entire department is that if there is any negligence or if it causes a problem, there will be a corresponding action from the department.)
