Proceedings of the International Cyanide Detection Testing Workshop

Due to the island nature of the Philippines,
some samples are sent via couriers or
representatives which poses sample security
concerns. With commercial couriers, signs
of tampering can be easily checked; however,
with samples sent via representatives (in
kind), which could be unauthorized, there is a
need to come up with procedures to prevent
tampering.
Lack of Manpower. When BFAR took
over the operation of the CDT labs and
its associated responsibilities and tasks, these
were to be performed on top of the existing
responsibilities. These activities include
inspection and sampling at the start of supply
chain, laboratory and administrative work. With
all the other activities, BFAR personnel are
faced with multi-tasking. Laboratory analysts
are tasked not only with cyanide analysis
but also red tides, chemical, microbiological
and antibiotic residue analyses. In addition
there are no suffi cient vacant positions in the
government to absorb those that came from
the IMA-run laboratories.
Unlike when the labs were under the
management of IMA, there are personnel
for each specifi c task. These tasks are for
chemists and biologists, and hiring personnel
with these qualifi cations is also hampered
by the lack of vacant positions, or, as in the
case of services charged to maintenance and
operations cost, the salary allowed is not
commensurate. Sometimes there are those
who accept the position but do not stay for
very long. This results in a high turn over rate,
which is not benefi cial for the laboratory.
Most regulatory offi cers are not properly
informed on how to collect samples. Copies
of protocols or “how to’s” were sent to the
regional labs. Most often the protocols were
followed on samples sent to the labs early
on. But later, there were instances wherein
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the proper protocols were not followed,
compromising the integrity of the samples
and leaving the lab with no alternative but to
issue rejection. The regional offi cers/staff had
to be regularly reminded of the protocols.
Final inspection of live fi sh is at the port of
exit. Fishery quarantine personnel may not
be properly informed when to look for CDT
results in shipments of fi shery products.
What Is Needed:
Expansion/Additional labs. With the
above mentioned issues, if BFAR wants to
expand its CDT activities several things will
be needed. There is a need for additional
laboratories in several areas in order to have
easier access to its services.
It is suggested that several labs be established
in Palawan due to the live fish trade
present in almost all of its municipalities.
Other areas were chosen so that the regional
counterparts will have a more direct access to
the lab.
Capacity building. Training of personnel,
especially for law enforcers (PNP Maritime,
Coast Guard, Local Government Units,
BFAR Regional Offi ces), is required especially
for sample collection and sample handling
in order to assure that samples will arrive at
the laboratory at a viable state. Moreover,
management training is necessary for people
at the local level to further enhance capabilities
policy formulation.
Environmental awareness. There is a need
to conduct environmental awareness training
for local fi sher folk to emphasize the negative
long term effect of destructive fishing
techniques to the environment including fi sh
habitats.