Cebu ASF ban on Negros may be extended

Local

THE 45-day ban on the entry of live hogs, pork, and pork products from Negros Island and other African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected areas will remain under continuous review and could be extended beyond its initial period, the Cebu Provincial Government said.

The ban, imposed under Executive Order (EO) No. 39, will not automatically be lifted once the 45-day period ends, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Rose Vincoy clarified.

Instead, the provincial government will assess the measure based on the prevailing ASF situation and updated guidance from national agencies.

"This does not automatically mean the ban will end after 45 days," Vincoy said.

Any decision to lift, extend, or modify the restrictions will depend on developments related to the outbreak, she added.

Section 1 of EO No. 39 states that the ban may be extended or modified based on outbreak developments and official advisories from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

In the meantime, the provincial government said it will closely coordinate with the DA and BAI before making any final call on the restrictions, ensuring that decisions are grounded in the latest data on the disease's spread.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro on July 7 issued EO No. 39 which effectively revived measures to protect the province’s billion-dollar hog industry from threats of ASF.

The governor’s orders came in the wake of reports of resurgence of ASF cases in the neighboring Negros Island Region.

Officials said the measure is also meant to secure the livelihood of local hog raisers, many of whom depend on a stable market free from ASF-related losses, and to ensure food security for Cebuanos amid concerns over the virus's spread.

ASF, a highly contagious and often fatal disease affecting pigs, has no vaccine approved for widespread commercial use in the Philippines and has led to significant losses in the hog industry.

It was first detected in the country in 2019.

Outbreaks have prompted various local government units to impose similar entry bans to prevent the disease from crossing into unaffected areas.

Cebu's hog industry is a key contributor to the province's agricultural economy, and provincial officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining strict biosecurity measures to keep the province ASF-free.

The Capitol, meanwhile, urged the public and industry stakeholders to remain vigilant and to report any suspected ASF cases to local authorities immediately.(RBE)