Pangasinan bans hogs from 3 provinces

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — The provincial government of Pangasinan has temporarily banned the entry of live swine and pork coming from Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac due to African swine fever (ASF).

An executive order (EO) signed by Gov. Ramon Guico III imposed the ban from Aug. 18 to Sept. 17.

The order was prompted by the updated zoning map and zoning status released by the Department of Agriculture (DA), classifying the three provinces under the red zone or areas having active cases or infected with ASF.

“The DA-Ilocos regional office recommended the crafting of executive orders and ordinances to regulate the movement of swine in the region,” Guico said.

The provincial veterinary office has been directed to continue implementing quarantine checkpoints and inspection to monitor the enforcement of the EO.

Guico said all local chief executives were ordered to tighten their biosafety, hygiene and sanitation standards in slaughterhouses and public markets.

Local government units were advised to remain vigilant and report immediately any suspected cases of ASF in their jurisdictions.

The DA distributed more than 2,000 sentinel piglets to backyard raisers whose hogs were culled due to ASF.

The distribution was part of the provincial government’s recovery program for residents affected by the virus.