ILOILO – This province is strengthening its surveillance at its various ports of entry.
Western Visayas and Central Visayas are the only regions left still free from the African swine fever (ASF), based on the national ASF zoning map and movement plan.
According to Dr. Darel Tabuada of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), their team deployed personnel to two Iloilo ports – Iloilo International Port in Loboc, Lapuz, Iloilo City and Culasi port in Ajuy town.
“Nag-deploy kita sang mga tawo para ma-implementar ang proper disinfection sa tanan nga nagagwa kag sulod nga trucking during loading for shipment sa Luzon,” said Tabuada.
ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease that spreads rapidly in pigs. Since there is no known vaccine against it yet – sick pigs die in two to 10 days – ASF is destructive to the swine industry.
The PVO also monitors the Dumangas port, Estancia port and the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan town.
Western Visayas is supplying live hogs to Luzon and Mindanao.
Personnel of the Department of Agriculture, Philippine National Police, Philippine Ports Authority and Philippine Coast Guard also help guard the region’s entry points.
Tabuada said the PVO is strictly implementing Provincial Ordinance Number 2021-250 which bans the entry of livestock transport carriers and hog vans to this province without disinfection certificate and/or ASF-free certificate from the point of origin or port of exit, and live pig, boar semen, pork and pork products including food items containing pork originating from manufactured and/or processed in ASF-affected areas.
“Ang taga-banwa regular man ila libot, kami sa PVO may ara man on the spot nga libot sa supermarkets to check their products. So far damo kita na-confiscate and may ara kita nga confiscate for disposal. Mostly canned goods nga may ingredients nga pork,” said Tabuada.
He also reminded the public not to sell pork products or any related from ASF-affected areas./PN
