By JEN BAYLON

The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), in collaboration with local government units, continues to enforce stringent border controls to prevent a resurgence of African swine fever (ASF) in the province.

PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana reported that strict border measures are in place in Kabankalan City and Hinoba-an town to monitor and control the shipment of hogs from Negros Oriental.

ASF cases were reported at Barangay West Balabag in Negros Oriental’s Valencia town.

Spot inspections are also conducted in La Castellana town’s Barangay Masulog, which serves as a boundary between the municipality and Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City.

Authorities are working to contain the outbreak, which had previously affected the province last year, but was controlled through culling.

Lemana also noted the ongoing border control efforts by the Provincial ASF Task Force, which focuses on pork and pork byproducts arriving from Luzon, Panay Island and Cebu.

The cities of San Carlos and Kabankalan as well as La Castellana town in Negros Occidental are awaiting “pink zone” certification from the Bureau of Animal Industry, as no hog mortalities due to ASF have been reported.

Meanwhile, the cities of Silay and Victorias as well as the municipalities of Hinigaran and Pulupandan have already received certification to be declared under pink zone./JB, WDJ