Google map of Dinagat Islands province.
BUTUAN CITY – The entry of live hog and its by-products has been temporarily banned in Dinagat Islands as the province remains a “green zone” or free from the contamination of African swine fever (ASF) in the Caraga Region.
In an interview on Monday, Dr. Aimee Jimeno, the provincial veterinarian, said stringent measures have also been established to protect Dinagat Islands from ASF contamination.
She said the temporary ban on live hogs' entry and pork products was in the Executive Order (EO) No. 11-01 issued by Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. on Nov. 18.
All ports of entry in the island province are now on alert to fully implement the ban, she added.
“Our neighbors, especially Siargao Island and Surigao del Norte, are now contaminated with ASF. This measure is necessary to protect our local hog industry from being also being infected,” Jimeno said.
Local pork products from Surigao City, other parts of the region, and other areas in Mindanao known to have cases of ASF will be temporarily banned in the province, she said.
Despite the ban, Jimeno said Dinagat Islands has a sufficient supply of hogs and by-products for the consumption of its residents. (PNA)
