The province of Bohol has issued stricter rules on the entry of live pigs, pork, pork products and frozen semen from Cebu province and Cebu City into Bohol due to the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Governor Aris Aumentado signed Executive Order No. 11 series of 2023 on March 7, 2023, stating that these producta are prohibited from entering Bohol unless they comply with certain conditions.
According to the order, transport vehicles or carriers coming from Cebu shall be allowed only at the port areas in Bohol and shall not be allowed outside the port premises.
Imported pork meat passing through Cebu shall be allowed entry into Bohol provided that the boxes or packages shall be opened only in a National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) accredited cold storage facilities in Bohol.
The order also stated that Bohol shall source swine feeds from other safe areas to minimize the negative impact on the local supply.
The order took effect immediately upon its issuance.
ASF is a highly contagious and deadly swine disease that can cause severe economic losses for pig farmers.
It does not infect people but it can spread rapidly among pigs through direct contact or contaminated feed.
Cebu province confirmed the presence of ASF viral DNA in blood samples obtained from Carcar city on March 1, 2023.
The Bureau of Animal Industry also classified some areas of Cebu as Red (Infected) Zone in their recent ASF zoning classifications.
SNIFFING DOGS
Tubigon Port, one of the busiest ports in Bohol, has deployed three sniffing dogs and disinfectants on March 8, 2023, as part of its intensified efforts to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province.
The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) led by Dr. Leonida Daguro together with Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) Veterinary Quarantine Services Inspector Dr. Mariele Abisado, Philippine Ports Authority – Tubigon manager Juanito Añora, representatives of PPA Tagbilaran, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Marcela Farms met to streamline ports operations with ASF prevention protocols.
Authorities were able to confiscate a sizable number of pork products during inspections conducted.
They also convened with LGU Tubigon, coastal and island barangay officials for a re-orientation and distribution of Information and Education Campaign (IEC) materials on ASF.
Sniffing dogs and disinfectants are already in ports in Ubay, Jagna, Tagbilaran, and the Bohol Panglao International Airport. An upcoming setup at Getafe port is also planned.
Bohol remains ASF-free as of March 10, 2023.
The OPV urges all stakeholders to cooperate and comply with the quarantine measures to protect the swine industry from ASF.
