ILOILO CITY – The city government has imposed precautionary measures to safeguard the city against African Swine Fever (ASF) as the first confirmed case was logged in nearby Oton town.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas issued an executive order prohibiting the slaughter and entry in the city of all live hogs, boar semen, pork, and pork-related products, including livestock transport vehicles from Oton.
According to Treñas, strict implementation of border control and veterinary quarantine measures, including cargo and passenger inspection, will be imposed in all entry points of the city.
He further directed a review and regulation of livestock passes issued for livestock transport vehicles and reefer vans.
The city mayor formed a composite team, composed of the lloilo City Police Office, Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), City Veterinary Office, and other force multipliers, to enforce his order in coordination with Iloilo province and other concerned agencies.
Moreover, Treñas said the slaughter of swine and other pork-related products at the city’s slaughterhouse will be strictly regulated. Allowed only are those issued with Veterinary Health Certificate for livestock, their meat and meat products which have been certified as those coming from areas excluding the municipality of Oton.
The mayor’s order dated Oct. 15,2022 is effective immediately.
Earlier, the provinces of Aklan, Capiz and Guimaras have imposed a temporary ban of live hogs, pork and pork by-products from Iloilo, while Negros Occidental’s ban covered those from Panay and Guimaras.
Cebu also did the same but the ban is for the whole Western Visayas./PN
