By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) continues to remind travelers entering the province that a ban on pork and poultry products is still in place as part of the provincial government’s precautionary measures against African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza.

Officer-in-charge Dr. Placeda Lemana said the PVO continues to deploy personnel at various ports and conduct checkpoints in some parts of the province.

ASF reportedly affected many parts of Panay, with the latest being those in Capiz and Guimaras provinces.

Lemana appealed to Negrenses to avoid bringing pork or poultry products into the province from Panay, Guimaras and some areas in Luzon, Mindanao and Leyte.

The provincial government does not want to put its P6 billion hog and P8 billion poultry industry at risk, Lemana said.

They have to strictly follow policies regarding any pork or poultry products they intercept, she added./DGB, WDJ