By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Capiz will strictly monitor the entry of hog meat products from the province of Masbate following reports that pork from Masbate tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF).
Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, PCG-Roxas chief, said they will strictly enforce a total ban on said products to prevent the spread of the disease.
Mercurio said PCG-Roxas will monitor different ports here aside from the regular and seaborne patrols to be conducted in the waters of Capiz.
The ban was imposed through an Executive Order issued by Governor Esteban Evan Nonoy Contreras and other local government units.
Early last month, Contreras issued Executive Order No. 1 series of 2021 which ordered the inspection of hog vans entering the province.
The trucks were required to present certificates of disinfection from their ports of origin.
Contreras also asked the public to report to the police or his office any individuals or vehicles that try to smuggle in pork products.
Capiz is one of the provinces in Western Visayas that supplies live hogs to the National Capital Region (NCR).
Dr. Leonel Abordo, Provincial Veterinarian, confirmed that since January 2021, Western Visayas delivered one million live hogs to NCR, and 129,786 of this came from Capiz.
Abordo assured that Capiz has sufficient hogs for its own demands.
Abordo said that Capiz and Western Visayas are still free of the African Swine Fever (ASF) that infected the hog industry of NCR and parts of Luzon.
“This is because of the strict monitoring of the entry of hog meat from other places outside the region,” Abordo added.
Abordo warned the public not to order pork through online portals to avoid the entry of infected products.
He also asked raisers to report to the municipal government if their hogs suddenly get sick or die.
