BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The number of hogs exported by Negros Occidental since January this year nearly reached 9,200, data from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) showed.
In January alone, the province shipped out 4,303 hog heads to Luzon, Mindanao and other parts of the Visayas, said PVO.
A total of 2,765 hogs were shipped out in February while as of March 29, hog raisers exported a total of 2,126 hogs.
Earlier this month, exporting of pork to Eastern Visayas was stopped temporarily after Cebu closed its borders to hog shipments following the detection of the African Swine Fever (ASF) in Carcar City.
The border with Cebu has since been reopened following deliberations by local officials.
On Tuesday, March 28, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the production of pork in the province remains strong despite warnings from the Bureau of Animal Industry of a looming shortage due to ASF.
Diaz also said biosecurity measures are strictly implemented.
He added pork products from “ASF red areas” remain banned from entering the province.
“Diri ka na lang bakal sa aton kag indi na ta mag-obra sang steps nga makahalit sa probinsya kag sa aton livestock industry,” said Diaz.
The province is currently working on the approval of its level 2 accreditation for the PVO laboratory.
“Regardless of what happens outside, may food security sa aton probinsya. And if we are lucky to keep our ASF- and avian influenza-free status, in the next five to 10 years we hope to sufficiently feed Negros Occidental, Western Visayas, and other parts of the country,” Diaz said.
He further said the provincial government wants Negros Occidental to be the “stronghold” of the country’s food production capabilities.
Negros Occidental’s hog industry is pegged at P6 billion./PN
