By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

According to the Department of Agriculture-Region VI (DA-6), the Western Visayas region remains free of African swine fever. DA-6 Director Remelyn Recoter said, as of this month, they have not yet recorded any case of swine fever.
The government official highlighted the banned entry of pork products from Luzon imposed by local government units.
In response to the ongoing problems in Luzon, Recoter issued a directive to all local government units in the region to remain on guard, especially pertaining to smuggled pork products coming from places with reported swine fever cases.
She also expressed hopes the region remains swine fever-free for years to come as it will help protect the hog industry.
Earlier this year, both the Negros Occidental provincial government and Bacolod City government imposed bans on the entry of pork products from Luzon following the reported swine deaths in Rizal and Bulacan due to the virus./DGB, WDJ