Negros Occidental bans pigs, pork from Mindanao G

BACOLOD CITY, Philppines  – Negros Occidental has expanded the ban on the entry of hogs, pork and processed meat in the province to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF).

In a memorandum issued yesterday, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the ban covers the whole of Mindanao.

A ban on the entry of pigs and pork from Davao as well as from Luzon and other ASF-hit areas is being implemented under existing ordinances after more than 1,000 pigs died due to ASF in Don Marcelino town in Davao Occidental on Saturday.

Don Marcelino, where there is ”a continuing incidence of pig mortality” in Barangays Linadasan, North Lamidan, South Lamidan, Calian, Mabuhay, Lawa, Nueva Villa and Baluntaya, is the  first recorded outbreak of ASF in Mindanao.

Lacson said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has no clear-cut measures to protect hogs in nearby regions and provinces from ASF.

“Such incidents of ASF poses a great threat to the the province, being one of the gateways of livestock and meat products trading to Panay provinces and Luzon,” the memorandum read.

Lacson called on local chief executives in Negros Occidental and the ASF task force to ensure the implementation of preventive and safeguard measures under the ASF prevention ordinance.

He said mayors should also conduct mandatory and regular disinfection of transport carriers upon arrival at ports and ensure proper disposal of food wastes from seacraft.

Provincial administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Negros Occidental has enough supply of pork, which it also supplies to Cebu and Iloilo.

ASF in Davao

In Davao City, 200 pigs in Barangay Dominga and 40 others in  Lamanan, Calinan district died recently due to ASF, according to DA regional director Ricardo Onate.

Samples of the dead pigs tested positive for ASF, the city veterinarian office said.

In Davao Oriental, Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpit-Rabat issued an executive order banning the entry of hogs, pork and processed meat from other areas.

Quarantine checkpoints were put up in Davao City and Mati City to ensure that pigs in the areas remain ASF-free. – With Edith Regalado