Pork ban lifted in Bacolod, retained in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The provincial government of Negros Occidental has issued an order retaining the ban on the entry of all live feeds, boar semen, pork and pork products, especially from areas affected by African swine fever (ASF).

In signing the order yesterday, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson cited differences in the zoning for ASF-affected areas.

The provincial capital Bacolod, being a higly urbanized city, has been classified by the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the red zone. Negros Occidental is under the dark green zone.

Although under the red zone, the city government of Bacolod lifted the pork ban to address the problem of lack of supply.

Earlier, Negros Occidental and Bacolod jointly issued Executive Order No. 1, which set aside a similar EO they issued last year.

The EO established the guidelines for the entry of live pigs, boar semen, pork, pork products and other related food items from areas with reported cases of ASF.

The setting aside of the 2023 EO paved the way for Bacolod and Negros Occidental to issue respective guidelines on the entry of live pigs, pork and its related products from areas with reported cases of ASF.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Feb. 23 signed EO No. 9, directing the city veterinary office to allow movement of pork and other swine products in the city.

In his latest order, Lacson said entry of all live pigs, boar semen, pork and its related products from Bacolod City, Cebu, Eastern Visayas, Negros Oriental, Luzon, Mindanao, Panay, Guimaras, Camotes and Bantayan Islands as well as countries affected by ASF is prohibited.

Lacson said a majority of cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental are classified under the pink and light green zones.

These areas are ready for hog repopulation and implementation of biosecurity measures to prevent a recurrence of transboundary swine diseases.