BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental has put up more checkpoints to fully seal entry points and prevent the dreaded African swine fever (ASF) from entering the province.
Provincial Veterinary officer Renante Decena, who co-chairs the Provincial ASF Task Force, said they have installed checkpoints and quarantine zones in Kabankalan City as part of the stringent measures to protect the multi-billion hog industry of the province.
Decena added that they have not monitored any case of unusual death of pigs similar to areas in Luzon.
“Negros is ASF-free,” he stressed.
Aside from the provincial task force, Decena said the city government of Kabankalan also formed their own anti-swine fever task force which will further augment their checkpoint personnel.
Last week, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has issued an executive order implementing a 90-day entry ban for pork products coming from areas hit by the deadly pig disease.
Lacson assured pork local to the province is clean and free of African swine fever.
He said the transport of live hogs, pork and pork products has been difficult due to the province-wide implementation of tight quarantine and biosecurity measures.
“All local government units are now vigilant. Requiring permits for pork and processed products is understandable,” the governor added./PN
