By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Board recently approved a proposal that seeks to impose a ban on the importation of pork products whenever a swine disease outbreak occurs, such as the ongoing issues surrouding African swine fever. Board Member Andrew Montelibano, who chairs the Provincial Board Committee on Agriculture, said the proposal will help protect the province’s P6 billion swine industry.
He pointed out, they are also protecting the local population as they are looking to ensure pork being consumed in the province is free of disease.
Once the ordinance is signed, Montelibano said the ongoing 90-day suspension on the importation of hogs and pork products will be extended until the national government declares an “all clear.”
“It’s going to be difficult if the disease enters Negros, that’s why our precautionary measures are very important,” the provincial official explained.
With concerns over the smuggling of imported pork products into the province, Montelibano said the provincial task force on African swine fever should closely guard the province’s entry points.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson 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.
Lacson also 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./DGB, WDJ