BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The production of pork in Negros Occidental remains strong despite warnings from the Bureau of Animal Industry of a looming shortage due to African Swine Fever (ASF).
Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said backyard production remains good, as does that of the province’s commercial hog raisers.
Diaz also said biosecurity measures are strictly implemented.
The province is currently working on the approval of its level 2 accreditation for the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) laboratory.
The PVO’s lab can perform RT-PCR tests for ASF and has an ELISA machine to detect avian influenza (AI) in poultry samples.
“Regardless of what happens outside, may food security sa aton probinsya. And if we are lucky to keep the ASF- and AI-free status, in the next five to 10 years we hope to feed Negros Occidental, Western Visayas, and other parts of the country,” Diaz said.
Diaz said all pork products coming from areas classified as “ASF Red Areas” remain banned from entering the province.
“Diri ka na lang bakal sa aton, kag indi na ta mag ubra sang steps nga makahalit sa probinsya kag sa aton livestock industry,” said Diaz.
He further added that the provincial government wants Negros Occidental to be the “stronghold” of the country’s food production capabilities./PN
