Baricuatro lifts pork, livestock ban

Local

CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has signed a series of Executive Orders (EOs) lifting multiple restrictions on the movement and entry of livestock and meat products into and within the province.

The move came after health authorities reported a decline in African Swine Fever (ASF) cases and improvements in disease surveillance and biosecurity protocols across Cebu and neighboring provinces.

Baricuatro signed EO No. 16, 17, and 18 which revoked earlier biosecurity measures that required transport passes, imposed mandatory down-time periods on livestock carriers, and restricted the entry of meat products from other regions.

The governor issued the orders following consultations with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), all of which acknowledged the need to ease restrictions while maintaining essential disease prevention safeguards.

In EO No. 16, Baricuatro formally removed the restrictions on the entry of livestock meat and by-products from surrounding provinces.

The order, titled “An Order Lifting the Restrictions on the Entry of Livestock Meat and By-Products from Surrounding Provinces into the Province of Cebu, Subject to Regulatory Compliance and Biosecurity Measures,” cites the authority granted under Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which allows local governments to exercise powers necessary for promoting the general welfare.

The EO emphasizes that “the easing of movement restrictions is necessary to support economic recovery, particularly the revitalization of the local livestock and food industries.

This is also to "alleviate the burden on livestock producers, and enable sufficient and affordable supply of meat products for Cebuano consumers."

The governor said the lifting of the ban must still follow the enforcement of veterinary health and biosecurity protocols, as recommended by the PVO.

She directed all concerned agencies to implement the order and ensure continued compliance with sanitation standards to protect both animal health and public welfare.

Through EO No. 17, Baricuatro also eliminated the previously mandated down-time period for livestock transport carriers entering or operating within Cebu.

In the order titled “An Order Lifting the Mandatory Down-Time Period for Livestock Transport Carriers, Subject to Compliance with Biosecurity and Sanitation Measures,” she declared that “the previously imposed mandatory down-time period for livestock transport carriers entering or operating within the Province of Cebu is hereby lifted, effective immediately.”

The policy had required carriers to undergo a rest period to allow thorough cleaning and disinfection between trips, as part of ASF containment.

Baricuatro explained in the EO that while the down-time requirement is no longer in effect, livestock carriers must continue observing key biosecurity protocols.

She ordered them to carry out thorough disinfection of vehicles and holding compartments before and after every transport cycle.

In addition, she required all carriers to secure a vehicle disinfection certificate issued by the appropriate veterinary or quarantine authority before they are allowed to operate.

Meanwhile, EO No. 18 lifted the requirement for livestock transport passes, further streamlining the movement of animals into and across the province.

The order, titled “An Order Lifting the Requirement for Livestock Transport Passes for the Movement of Livestock Into and Within the Province of Cebu Subject to Regulatory Compliance and Biosecurity Measures,” states that “the requirement for a Livestock Transport Pass for the transport or movement of livestock into or within the Province of Cebu is hereby lifted.”

Despite removing the transport pass, Baricuatro ordered all transporters to comply with minimum regulatory requirements.

She said all movements of live animals must still be accompanied by a valid Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.

She also directed handlers to secure a Livestock Handler’s Permit and observe proper biosecurity protocols during transportation.

These include ensuring that vehicles are disinfected and that animals are contained according to disease control standards.

The three executive orders reflect the provincial government’s shift toward economic recovery for Cebu’s livestock and meat industries, while continuing to uphold health and safety safeguards.

By easing these restrictions, the governor seeks to support producers, reduce the logistical burden on transporters, and stabilize the supply and prices of pork and other meat products in Cebu.

The implementation of the orders takes effect immediately.

During the term of former Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia imposed strict measures to shield the province from ASF.

In 2019, she issued EO No. 13, banning the entry of pork and pork products from ASF-affected countries even before local cases were reported.

She formed a task force to implement the ban and safeguard Cebu’s P11-billion hog industry.

In 2023, she reimposed similar restrictions. On March 6, through EO No. 9, she banned live pigs, pork, and related products from Negros Island, later extended under EO No. 11.

She followed this with EO No. 21 in August, banning hogs and pork from Bohol after ASF cases surfaced there.(MyTVCebu)