BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Officials of Barangay Tuburan in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, along with personnel from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) and Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO), intercepted five kilos of raw pork from Panay Island yesterday afternoon.
Based on the information released by the E.B. Magalona municipal government, the pork was carried by a woman from Barangay Daan Banwa, Tapaz, Capiz.
She was planning to grill the pork for guests attending the wake of a recently deceased relative in Sitio Panaosawon in E.B. Magalona’s Barangay Tuburan.
Barangay Tuburan captain Ramonito Espacio Jr., who was at the wake to deliver financial assistance to the bereaved family, made the discovery and interception.
Espacio immediately called E.B. Magalona mayor Marvin Malacon, who in turn sent in the MAO and PVO officials.
The seized meat was immediately properly disposed of.
Entry of hogs and pork products originating from outside Negros Occidental is prohibited due to concerns over African Swine Fever (ASF).
Negros Occidental has a P6-billion backyard swine industry, and the entry of ASF into the province would not only hurt local hog farmers but would also affect food production capabilities in the province./PN
