Negros Occidental lifts ban on hogs, pork products

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A ban on the entry of hogs and pork products in Negros Occidental has been lifted.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez signed a joint executive order on Friday setting aside a joint EO they issued in 2023, which set the guidelines for the entry of pigs and pork products from areas with reported cases of African swine fever (ASF).

This city has been classified under red or infected zone while Negros Occidental is under dark green or free from ASF.

The provincial veterinary office said it has not recorded hog deaths due to ASF or hog cholera since September last year.

The provincial government said it has distributed financial assistance worth P10 million to affected farmers.

At least 17,766 hogs have died due to swine diseases in Negros Occidental, with losses estimated at P200 million.

Up to 4,259 hog raisers in 153 barangays in Negros Occidental were affected.

Negros Occidental has a P6-billion swine industry and is among the top exporters of pork products in the country.

On Wednesday, Negros Oriental Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria signed an EO opening the borders of the province to hog raisers and traders in a bid to revive the pork industry in their area.

The hog ban in Negros Occidental was implemented in 2022 due to the threat of ASF.

Negros Oriental imposed the ban in March last year.