HOG raisers in Negros Occidental are now reaping the strict biosecurity measures or pork ban enforced by the provincial government, especially with the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said that hog raisers in the province are happy that despite the ban imposed by the Cebu provincial government on the entry of hogs and pig products, they have found a market in other areas of the country, especially Metro Manila.

"Hog raisers are slowly finding markets in Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon at a good price.The province is now a major supplier of pork products in the National Capital Region (NCR)," Diaz said.

He said the Negros Occidental "will remain ASF-free so that we can continue to feed the province, the region, and the country."

Diaz said Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia has not yet replied to the request of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to allow the passage of hogs and pork products from the province to Eastern Visayas.

The ASF virus has been detected in Cebu City and in the towns of Liloan, Tuburan, Sibonga, and Bogo City in Cebu Province, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of the Department of Agriculture reported.

Lacson and Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez have also signed a joint executive order on March 7 imposing a pork ban in areas with confirmed ASF cases, including Cebu.*