By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The total value of the seized pork and poultry products from various ports and checkpoints in Negros Occidental has reached P676,000 in January, according to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).

The seizure of the said products is part of the province’s ongoing campaign against African swine fever (ASF) and bird flu.

In a report submitted by PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, as part of Executive Order No. 22-62 issued last year, they have seized P293,830 worth of poultry and poultry-related products.

The seized poultry products had a total weight of 15 kilograms, and included 819 heads of fowl.

These items were either confiscated or ordered to return to the point of origin.

A consolidated summary of the Veterinary Inspection Report also shows hog shipments apprehension by the ASF task force had already seized 461.75 kilograms or 1,542 pieces of assorted pork products valued at P382,111.

Lemana said that for January 2023, the quarantine team has inspected 15,525 incoming vehicles including refrigerated container vans at Bacolod City seaport and checkpoints in the province, of which entry was only allowed to those having complete documents./DGB, WDJ