• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Several provinces in the Visayas have imposed stricter border controls and temporary bans on the entry of live hogs, pork products, and related materials following the confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) cases in some areas of Negros Occidental.
The provincial governments of Cebu, Capiz, and Guimaras have issued executive orders restricting the movement of live pigs, pork, pork by-products, and frozen boar semen from ASF-affected areas in an effort to protect their local swine industries from the highly contagious disease.
Capiz Governor Fredenil Castro signed an executive order on June 24 imposing an immediate ban on the entry of live pigs, pork, pork products, pork by-products, hog transport vehicles, and livestock shipments originating from or passing through Iloilo Province and Negros Island.
In Guimaras, Governor Lucille Nava issued a similar executive order on June 26 temporarily prohibiting the entry of live hogs, pork, and pork by-products from ASF-infected areas.
The directive also strengthens veterinary quarantine, border inspection, and food safety measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro signed an executive order also on June 26, reinforcing ASF prevention measures despite the province remaining free of confirmed cases.
The order restricts the entry of livestock carriers and transport vehicles coming from Negros Occidental and other ASF-affected provinces for up to 45 days, subject to extension depending on the status of the outbreak.
Baricuatro directed authorities at ports and entry points facing Negros Island to conduct stricter inspections of livestock and pork shipments.
She said live hogs, pork, and processed pork products from affected areas will only be allowed entry if accompanied by complete veterinary health certificates, meat inspection certificates, negative ASF laboratory test results, and other required regulatory documents.
Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria reactivated the Provincial ASF Task Force on June 24 to oversee and coordinate the implementation of national and local disease control measures.
He also ordered the strict enforcement of border control and veterinary quarantine procedures, including inspections of cargo, transport vehicles, passenger baggage, and other conveyances entering the province.
Last week, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed the presence of ASF in several areas of the province, prompting neighboring local government units to strengthen preventive measures.
The outbreak has already resulted in significant losses for hog raisers, particularly in San Enrique town, where around 500 hogs have died with losses estimated at P5 million, Mayor Jilson Tubillara said. | GPB
