By: Jennifer P. Rendon, Emme Rose Santiagudo, and Dolly Yasa
The ban on swine and processed pork products from African Swine Fever (ASF) affected areas, particularly in Luzon, is still in effect in the city and province of Iloilo.
In Negros Occidental, the provincial government is mulling to impose a total ban on such products.
Executive Order No. 99-A-2019 issued by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas on Oct. 9, 2019, “totally bans live pigs, hog carcasses, pork and pork products and by-products originating from, and/or processed in localities in the Philippines identified by the Department of Agriculture positive for African Swine Fever (ASF) from entering the City of Iloilo for a period of 90 days and a total ban of the same from countries identified positive for ASF.”
Meanwhile, 11 packs of frozen siomai from Antipolo City were confiscated on Oct 30, 2019 at the Iloilo Terminal Market City, Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) head Jose Ariel Casteñeda confirmed on Monday.
The products will undergo testing to determine if these are ASF-contaminated.
While ASF cannot harm humans, it quickly spreads among hogs and threatens the multibillion peso swine industry.
According to City Veterinarian Dr. Tomas Forteza, the siomai products were confiscated during the operations of Task Force ASF on Oct 30.
Forteza said samples of the frozen siomai seized from “Super” will be sent to Manila for testing.
“What we will do, ipa-examine to siya sa Manila to know if it is confirmed or not. I have a meeting with Jose Ariel Castañeda head of Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) para mapadala atong samples and iban to ya dal-on for incineration,” he said in an interview on Monday.
The 40-man Task Force ASF will also intensify the monitoring of markets and maintenance of foot baths and cargos in the city.
“We want to make sure that Iloilo City will be ASF-free that is why the city has invested on these 40 people who will make sure nga tanan nga markets naton, tanan nga boundaries mapasiguro,” Treñas said.
Relatedly, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. also issued Executive Order No. 159-A enforcing a temporary ban on swine, pork, pork products and by-products from all areas in Luzon, including its island provinces for 90 days.
The executive order amended Executive Order No. 159 issued on Sept. 19, 2019 blocking swine and pork products from Rizal and Bulacan provinces only.
The latest order was issued after the Department of Agriculture confirmed that ASF spread to other parts of Luzon such as Quezon City, Antipolo City, the provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Rizal, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, and Pampanga.
“The continuing spread of ASF in Luzon necessitates the broadening of the temporary ban on swine, pork products and by-products, to include the whole of Luzon, including its island provinces,” EO No. 159-A read.
The provincial government also ordered strict veterinary quarantine procedures and safety measures against pork products. Quarantine checks were also implemented at sea ports and the Iloilo International Airport.
Cavite is the first province to lift the ban but 64 more provinces are still imposing it.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental is mulling a total ban on pork products amid the ASF threat.
Provincial Veterinary Officer Renante Decena said the proposal was made as other provinces in the country have adopted similar moves in a bid to prevent the entry of the virus in their areas.
Among the areas proposing the total ban are Bohol, Cebu, Panay and some areas in Mindanao.
Decena said the temporary ban will last until Dec 18, although they are expecting a new ordinance which could further extend the ban.
With the Christmas holidays just a few weeks away, local pork producers assured that there is enough supply of pork to meet the demand until the end of the year.
ASF-FREE
In a separate interview, DA Regional Veterinary Quarantine Officer, Dr. John Rhoel Hilario, said that the region is still free from ASF.
“So far, our swine industry, private companies even mga pig millers are safe. We are working hard with other agencies and we have really established closed coordination with swine farms and other stakeholders,” he said.
According to Hilario, they are regulating each movement of pork products in the region particularly those that pass through the sea ports and airports.
“We regulate each movement per region, whenever mag-agi sa ports and airports especially if wala sila papers. As of the moment, we have confiscated 300 pieces of canned products from the Iloilo International Airport and around 1,000 kilograms of meat products at the Kalibo International Airport,” he added.
Based on data from the Regional Veterinary Quarantine Office, the hog industry in the region is valued at P7.69 billion with a total hog population of 1,250,681 heads as of January 1, 2019.
Aside from Iloilo City, Aklan, Negros Occidental, Iloilo province and Bacolod City also imposed a total ban of swine, pork, pork products and by-products from Luzon.
