IN A bid to further safeguard Misamis Oriental's remaining unaffected swine industry from African Swine Fever (ASF), Governor Yevgeny Vicente Emano has imposed a temporary ban on the movement of pigs and pork products and by-products, particularly coming from backyard farm within the province.

According to the executive order issued by Emano, there will be no shipment of live hogs, pork products and by-products, be it raw, cooked or processed, coming from backyard farms from the western side of the province such as areas from Lugait to Opol.

But movement of live pigs, pork products and by-products within the province will be allowed provided that is it sourced from a commercial farm and has the necessary requirements such as valid Veterinary Health Certificate, transported in a Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)-accredited livestock transport vehicle, BAI Livestock Handler's License and BAI Livestock Transport Carrier License, and other additional documents as may be required by BAI, particularly for breeding animals.

Moving cargoes of live hogs that are intercepted and found unlawfully traveling without proper clearances will be confiscated.

Emano also ordered all local chief executives in Misamis Oriental to establish and manage quarantine checkpoints on its borders, as well as to monitor and regulate viajeros in their locality, and strengthen the information and education campaign to its constituents, especially the backyard farmers.

On February 10, the Department of Agriculture-Northern Mindanao confirmed the presence of ASF in two barangays in Misamis Oriental, namely, Barangay Jampason in Initao and Barangay Pajawan in Manticao.