The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has assured the Department of Agriculture (DA)
Regional Office 7 that Pilar, Bohol will remain as a “dark green (free) zone” amid the
threat of African swine fever (ASF).
In a letter dated August 17, 2023, BAI Director Paul Limson said that they will maintain
the zoning status of Pilar as free from ASF, following the request of DA-7 Executive
Director Angel Enriquez.
This came after no other confirmed case of ASF was reported in Barangay San Vicente
and nearby areas for 15 days since the first outbreak was detected.
“We acknowledge your request and will maintain the zoning status of the municipality of
Pilar, Bohol as Dark Green (Free) Zone,” Limson wrote.
However, the provincial veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz warned the public not to buy
pork and processed products sold online to prevent the spread of ASF in other parts of
Bohol.
She said that some licensed meat processors may use pork from infected areas, which
could pose a risk to the local hog industry.
She also urged the consumers to check the labels and certificates of meat products
before buying them.
Lapiz admitted that it was hard to claim that Bohol “remains” or stays ASF-free, since it
was already infected by the disease for the first time.
She said that what was more accurate was that Pilar has returned to being free from
ASF, based on the absence of more confirmed cases in the affected barangay and
neighboring areas.
She also clarified that BAI’s statement that Pilar will remain as a dark green or free zone
does not necessarily mean or guarantee that Bohol is ASF-safe.
She said that there is still a need for vigilance and cooperation from all stakeholders to
prevent another outbreak of ASF in the province.