MANDAUE City is eyeing on putting at least 12 areas in Cebu, including Cebu City, under strict border control as part of its strengthened measures to protect the city against African swine fever (ASF).

Police Lieutenant Franco Rudolf Oriol, Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Deputy Chief of Operations and spokesperson, told the media Tuesday, March 21, 2023, that they are now waiting for the Mandaue City Government’s go signal for the deployment of police personnel.

Oriol said the areas to be strictly monitored are the Upper and Lower of Tawason, Panagdait, Innodata, Banilad, Cabancalan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cansaga, Jagobio, Mactan-Mandaue Bridge (First bridge), Marcelo Fernan Bridge (2nd bridge), and Talamban.

Oriol said four policemen would be deployed on each border with city health personnel and some force multipliers, mostly village guards (barangay tanods).

They will man the border for 24 hours, but they will be on a shifting schedule.

Dr. Alvin Leal, officer-in-charge regional technical director for the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), said earlier that among the documents hog transporters must present are a veterinary health certificate, certificate of ownership for large animals, and certificate of transportation from their local veterinarian offices.

On Monday, March 20, the Bureau of Animal Industry announced five more ASF-affected areas in Cebu, aside from Carcar City. These include the cities Cebu and Bogo and municipalities of Liloan, Sibonga, and Tuburan. (HIC)