By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson affirmed the Provincial Board Committee on Agriculture will hold a public hearing today on the proposed ordinance seeking to prohibit the entry live hogs and pork products into the province amid the worsening African swine fever problem.
Last week, the governor revealed plans to extend the ongoing 90-day pork ban due to the ongoing issues affecting Luzon.
“As you can see, it is already spreading in Luzon and it’s no longer limited to the three [initial] provinces identified before,” he previously explained.
Based on a document signed by provincial secretary, Atty. Maki-Angel Ascalon, the hearing will be chaired by Board Member Andrew Montelibano.
Earlier, Lacson urged Negros Occidental consumers to patronize local pork products. In particular, with the holiday season just weeks away, he advised the public to try locally-produced ham.
“Support our local industry and buy local pork products,” Lacson urged.
The governor also lauded efforts by the provincial task force on African swine fever to protect the local hog industry and urged them not to let their guard down.
“I commend them but we need to continue being vigilant,” he stressed. “One mistake can cause [problems] for the whole Negros Occidental.”/DGB, WDJ

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