GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson assured Wednesday, September 18, that pork from Negros Occidental is clean and free from the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF).

But Lacson emphasized that when moving pigs or pork from the province, there should always be permits present especially with the ASF scare.

"All local government units now are vigilant and that requiring permits for pork and processed products is understandable," he said.

It does not mean that pork from the province are suspect of ASF contamination when permits are required, he added.

Lacson made the statement relative to reports that about 250 kilos of pork from Kabankalan City were not allowed entry in Cebu after the trader failed to present the permits required.

Lacson said he will ask about the permits required on backyard swine raisers.

He also assured the backyard hog raisers that the Provincial Government will undertake the necessary steps to protect their livelihood by finding other provinces who will accept their livestock.