• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has extended to 90 days the ban on live hogs, pork and pork products from Negros Island and other African swine fever (ASF)-affected areas.
Executive Order No. 44 adds another 45 days to the original 45-day restriction as Cebu strengthens inspections, biosecurity measures, and monitoring to protect its hog industry and food supply.
Baricuatro said the continued occurrence and threat of ASF in Negros Island and other affected provinces and areas necessitate the maintenance of precautionary measures to prevent the introduction and spread of ASF within Cebu.
Negros Island’s proximity to Cebu and the regular movement of persons and goods require heightened vigilance at all ports and points of entry, she added.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, however, said the ASF in Negros Occidental is under control despite affecting 14 of the province’s 31 local government units (LGUs).
Lacson said the province’s response has been effective because LGUs have strictly implemented protocols based on their previous experience in dealing with ASF outbreaks.
He added that ASF-related deaths account for about 3.53 percent of the province’s hog population of 61,854.
While hog mortalities have been reported, Lacson said the affected LGUs are already familiar with the measures needed to contain the outbreak. | GPB
