By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Pork and pork byproducts are still prohibited as part of protocols against African swine fever (ASF) in Negros Occidental, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reminded province-bound sea travelers yesterday.

Based on an advisory released by PPA and as part of the ongoing Holy Week exodus, pork products — such as longanisa, tocino, siomai, ham, bacon, and chicharon — that originated from areas with confirmed ASF cases are banned for entry.

Aside from pork products, the PPA also advised sea travelers to avoid bringing deadly weapons to various ports in the province.

They may confiscate other items from passengers based on the guidelines from local government units and national government agencies.

Bacolod City and Negros Occidental governments released a joint executive order banning the entry of pork products from areas that are currently affected by ASF.

The local government units are also on the lookout against avian influenza or bird flu, thus the entry of poultry and their byproducts into the province is also barred.

On Tuesday, April 4, the joint ASF and Bird Flu Task Force in Bacolod City’s BREDCO Port intercepted several pork and poultry shipments from neighboring Iloilo province.

The prohibited items, including pork products, will be returned to their place of origin.

Two live intercepted chickens were culled and burned as part of protocols against bird flu./DGB, WDJ