CLARK FREEPORT – Although the Philippines has remained bird flu-free, the preparedness program developed by the government in the last four years has not yet been independently assessed for efficiency.

Dr. Emelinda Lopez, chief of the animal health division of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), confirmed this in a forum held at a two-day seminar for journalists held here on Thursday.

The chief of the BAI is co-chair of the National Avian Influenza Task Force (NAITF) headed by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health. BAI handles the technical aspect of the preparedness program.

Lopez said it is not clear what local or international agency would do the independent assessment. But she said the National Disaster Coordinating Council could do the task.

The avian influenza (H5N1) or bird flu virus had been transmitted to people, with the World Health Organization counting at least 235 deaths from human transmission cases from 2003 to March 11 this year.

The Philippines has banned the importation of poultry products from countries where cases are recorded.

The monitoring of the NAITF has prioritized 20 provinces where there are large sectors of poultry growers, big population of migratory birds or imported game fowl.

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has recommended standards in dealing with bird flu but these are mainly to strengthen veterinary services, Lopez said.

WOAH sent a team to the Philippines in May to assess the services of BAI.

Preparedness against bird flu began in 2004 when President Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 280.

It defined the powers, functions and responsibilities of different government agencies. A memorandum circular required local governments to take more active roles in the program.

The Avian Influenza Preparedness Program (AIPP), drafted by the DA, DOH and the poultry industry, was adopted through a joint order.

While the NAITF has developed protocols in prevention, detection and emergency measures, including readying vaccine, equipment, materials and facilities, Lopez said: “There’s a lot of work to be done.”

Among these are actual drills and simulation exercises to test the responsiveness of plans from the villages to the regions.

“The process of planning is a developing system. The plans should not be just on paper. We need to do real time test,” she said.

Among local governments, the level of preparedness varies, depending on their priorities, Lopez said.

“Being prepared means having resources, materials and know-how before putting these into concrete action. At this we are almost complete,” she said.