KALIBO, Aklan – This province is enforcing strict measures in a bid to prevent the entry of live pigs, pork meat and pork-based product from the areas infected by the African swine fever (ASF) in Mindanao.
Gov. Florencio Miraflores signed a memorandum directing municipal mayors, airline and vessel companies, including the Aklan African swine fever Task Force for the pre-emptive ban of all live pigs, pork and pork-related products and catering food wastes from airlines and vessels that originated there on Feb. 3.
“There are pork products originating from Mindanao being brought in the province of Aklan, as well as travellers that are potential agents of spread and incursion of the disease to the ASF-free island of Visayas,” the memorandum read.
Animal quarantine checkpoints have been established in the municipalities of Altavas, Nabas and Buruanga for the mandatory inspection of private and public vehicles in coordination with the Philippine National Police, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry, ASF local task force and the Office of Provincial Veterinarian Aklan.
Personnel of the Bureau of Quarantine are also on high alert in Caticlan port and Kalibo International Airport to ensure that the inbound passengers are not carrying pork items from the affected countries.
The Department of Agriculture reported suspected ASF cases in Koronadal City, South Cotabato and Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental that resulted to the death of thousands of pigs.
To recall, the governor also issued Executive Order No. 46 enforcing strict biosecurity measures by temporarily banning the entry of all live hogs and all types of pork products in Aklan from Luzon and other ASF-affected countries on Sept. 27, 2019.
He also added Executive Order No. 60 to reinforce the implementation of EO 46 in December.(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
