Despite no confirmed cases: Cebu reinstates ASF measures

CEBU, Philippines — While there is no confirmed case of African Swine Fever (ASF), the Cebu provincial government has tightened its defenses against the disease by ordering stricter preventive and control measures across the province.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro signed Executive Order No. 36, Series of 2026, directing all concerned agencies and local government units to strengthen surveillance, biosecurity, and border controls to prevent ASF from entering Cebu.

The order took effect immediately upon its issuance on June 24 and comes as ASF continues to affect several provinces in the Visayas, including Negros Occidental.

Over the past few days, more than 500 hogs have perished in San Enrique, Negros Occidental, after ASF resurfaced.

San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara said all 10 barangays in the municipality have been affected, with laboratory results confirming the presence of ASF.

In response, provincial authorities have reinstated disease control protocols to prevent further spread. These include the immediate disposal of infected hogs through burial with lime and the disinfection of affected areas.

Baricuatro's executive order, however, noted that recent ASF surveillance conducted in Cebu's component cities and municipalities yielded negative laboratory results, as confirmed by the Department of Agriculture's (DA-7) Regional Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI-7).

Despite the findings, the Provincial Government said proactive measures remain necessary to protect the province's hog industry, food security, and the livelihoods of thousands of hog raisers.

Under Section 1 of the order, the province declared its policy to continue implementing ASF preventive and control measures to protect Cebu's hog industry, which is valued at around P20 billion, based on official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Agriculture.

"It is the policy of the Province of Cebu to continue its African Swine Fever (ASF) preventive and control measures to protect the local hog industry... through strict biosecurity, preventive controls, and continuous monitoring," the executive order stated.

To strengthen preparedness, all component local government units (LGUs) were directed to activate their respective ASF Task Forces to sustain surveillance, biosecurity implementation, and rapid response readiness.

The order also imposed tighter border inspection measures at seaports and entry points facing Negros Island, particularly in local government units with direct shipping routes from affected areas.

It prohibited the entry of live hogs, pork, and processed pork products from ASF-affected provinces unless accompanied by complete veterinary health certificates, meat inspection certificates, negative ASF laboratory test results, and other regulatory documents.

Random inspections will also be conducted to deter smuggling and the illegal transport of livestock and pork products.

The executive order specifically instructed component LGUs to deploy sufficient personnel during night and graveyard shifts, when most hog shipments and pork products arrive in Cebu.

The Provincial Government likewise ordered restrictions on pass-through vehicles and livestock carriers originating from Negros Occidental and other ASF-affected provinces for a period not exceeding 45 days.

The restriction, according to the order, may be extended or modified depending on developments in ASF outbreaks.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Veterinary Office, in coordination with municipal and city veterinarians and agriculture officers, was directed to continue routine blood collection, laboratory testing, and farm inspections to ensure the early detection of any possible ASF infection.

Hog raisers were also required to observe stricter biosecurity practices, including regularly disinfecting hog pens, vehicles, and equipment; limiting farm access to authorized personnel only; installing footbaths; requiring protective clothing for farm workers; avoiding swill feeding; and immediately reporting unusual pig deaths to authorities.

In addition, the Provincial Information Office (PIO) was tasked with intensifying information campaigns urging the public to buy hogs and pork products only from verified sources, avoid transporting pork products from ASF-affected provinces, and report suspected ASF cases to veterinary and agriculture offices.

To cushion the possible economic impact of ASF, the government will coordinate with DA-7 and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to stabilize pork supply, monitor market prices, and prepare contingency measures against possible disruptions.

The order also directed the Department of Agriculture (DA), BAI Regional Veterinary Quarantine Service VII, Cebu Port Authority (CPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and concerned local government units to closely coordinate with the Capitol in enforcing surveillance, border controls, animal movement regulations, and biosecurity measures. (CEBU NEWS)