DESTROYED. Sanitary inspectors of the Provincial Veterinary Office in Negros Occidental, who are part of the Provincial Task Force on African swine fever (ASF), destroy pork-based food items seized at the Bacolod-Silay Airport. The action is part of the intensified efforts of the provincial government to prevent the entry of ASF to the province. (File photo courtesy of Provincial ASF Task Force-Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY -- The Negros Occidental provincial government is maintaining a “very high alert” status to prevent the entry of African swine fever (ASF) that still poses a threat to its multi-billion hog industry.
The Provincial Task Force on ASF reviewed the memorandum order and other policies in safeguarding the swine industry here during the command conference held at the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) on Monday.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena, co-chair of the task force, said on Tuesday he underscored the importance of sustaining the preventive measures, particularly the inspection and monitoring in ports of entries of the province.
“We assessed the capability of all assigned port and airport personnel, including their proper attire, courtesy in dealing with travelers, and knowledge on the disease,” Decena said.
He added that all orders issued by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, the task force chair, should be implemented.
On Feb. 6, Negros Occidental declared a total ban on the entry of live pigs, pork, and pork-based products from Mindanao, after the reported positive case of ASF in Davao Occidental that caused the death of a thousand pigs.
Since September last year, the provincial government has been implementing necessary measures and interventions to curb the ASF.
At that time, it imposed a 90-day ban on pork and related food products coming from Luzon.
Then in December, the ban became permanent through the Provincial Ordinance 2019-024, otherwise known as the ASF Prevention Ordinance of Negros Occidental.
As of the second week of February, the task force has confiscated some PHP3.3 million worth of pork and pork-related food items shipped to the province since September.
“Shipments from Mindanao pass through Dapitan, Dumaguete City, Kabankalan City and Bredco Port in Bacolod City going to Dumangas in Iloilo and Manila destinations,” Decena said.
“Although we do not source out pigs because we have surplus supply, we still have to conduct disinfection procedures in ports,” he added. (PNA)
