Capitol heightens regulations of entry of pigs, pork products

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has added restrictions on trucks being used in the delivery of livestock to protect the hog industry in the province.

The move comes following report that African Swine Fever (ASF) has already reached the neighboring region like Eastern Visayas.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia called for a meeting with the pork producers, truckers, haulers and traders in the province including the Coast Guard and Cebu Port Authority to discuss the additional measures to protect the P11 billion hog industry of Cebu.

In a Sugbo News report, the Capitol’s news portal, it was agreed during the meeting that only the accredited truckers from Cebu can deliver the livestock to other provinces through the drop-off point. Trucks from Mindanao, Luzon and Region 8 are not allowed.

“Kay atong presumption ani ron kana tanan nga tuas gawas sa isla sa Cebu dunay possible nga dunay foamites nga magdala og ASF nato so we are protecting the island,” Garcia said in the report.

To prevent the entry of ASF to the island of Cebu, truckers have to comply with some procedures.

These include the mandatory disinfection of outgoing and returning trucks, livestock transport carrier and reefer vans and compliance submission of disinfection clearance issued by veterinary quarantine from the port of origin.

There will be a seven days mandatory downtime period of returning trucks prior to hauling of pigs wherein during that period trucks will be subject for cleaning and disinfection. After this they will be given by the Capitol a clearance.

Truckers should also submit a route plan at the border prior to shipment and other regulatory requirements such as veterinary health certificate and shipment permit.

The governor is set to issue and executive order regarding the additional measures.

As to date, the Cebu Province is still ASF-free.

Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy, chief of the Provincial Veterinary Office, said that even with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Cebu Capitol through their office down to the barangay level is not letting their guards down to prevent ASF from entering the island.

“Ever since naa na gyud tay barangay networking because of the barangay, mao na nga naay mortalities bisan usa lang ang mamatay amo gyud nang adtuon mao na nga ang quick response sa province ug sa PVO naa gyud nay coordination down to the barangay level,” Vincoy said. — GMR (FREEMAN)