ANTIQUE – As a preventive measure against the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), Mayor Elmer Untaran of San Jose de Buenavista prohibited the entry of swine, pork, and pork products from the municipality of Hamtic.
According to Untaran, the town has maintained its ASF-free status, and swine and pork products enjoy brisk sales.
But the Provincial Veterinarian Office has investigated recent reports of suspected ASF infection among swine in neighboring Hamtic town, “and in which case, places San Jose de Buenavista in danger of ASF infection, putting the swine industry at greater risk,” read part of Executive Order No. 37, series of 2023.
It added: “It is necessary that protective measures against the deadly swine virus be put in place to safeguard the swine population in the municipality, as this adversely affects the livelihood of thousands of swine raisers.”
The following measures were put in place:
* Banning the circulation of boar and artificial insemination breeding services, swine, pork, pork products and processed products coming from the Municipality of Hamtic are prohibited to enter the Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista or to transit hereto.
* Towards this end, border control inspections manned by barangay officials with the assistance of personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Municipal Agriculture Office should be established in the following barangays of this municipality: Maybato Sur, Inabasan, Bariri, Supa, and Pantao.
* The PNP and barangay officials are directed to conduct the operations of the border control inspections for 14 days from the effectivity of this order.
* All swine and pork products from other towns will continue to be accepted in the municipality.
Violation of this order shall result in outright confiscation and disposal of swine, pork and pork products without prejudice to criminal prosecution./PN
