AROUND 100 live hogs that arrived in Cebu were shipped back to Masbate on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, after members of the Provincial African Swine Fever (ASF) task force found that its transport permits had been tampered with.
The hogs arrived in Cebu despite the regulation on the entry of live hogs through all ports in the province for 100 calendar days.
The development was raised during the meeting of the Provincial ASF task force surveillance and monitoring meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
According to Provincial Veterinarian Mary Rose Vincoy, the vessel transporting the hogs, 11 cattle and 11 carabaos was intercepted at the Hagnaya Port in San Remigio on Sunday, Aug. 25.
They were shipped back on Monday after the Philippine Coast Guard and the Provincial Veterinary Office saw the transport permits had been tampered with.
The pigs were supposed to be slaughtered in Mandaue City.
It was also revealed during the meeting that the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) had just received their copies of Executive Order (EO) 14.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia issued EO 14 on Aug. 22, prohibiting the entry of pork, pork-related products and byproducts into Cebu province for 100 calendar days without permits or certificates.
EO 14 also regulates the transport of live hogs in the province for 100 days.
“EO 14 was issued to really implement stricter control at our (sea) ports and airports. Apparently, in spite of the EO that we have issued and even if we have enough information by the trimedia, there were still those that attempted to get in. Why would they tamper with the permits if it was shipped without ill intentions?” Garcia said.
CPA chief of operations Port Police Senior Insp. Adolfo Abregana Jr. said prohibiting the transportation of live animals without proper permits from the Bureau of Quarantine has long been a protocol.
He said the CPA has formulated the guidelines in accordance with EO 14, but these are still subject to review by their legal office.
But for Garcia, waiting for the CPA to set its policy would take time and defeat the Capitol’s prupose of protecting the province’s hog industry.
“Don’t spread yourselves too thin. Your responsibility primarily are the Cebu ports. We really need extra vigilance. Let’s not get sidetracked.... Our ports are crucial points of entry,” she said.
On the part of the airport, MCIA medical division officer-in-charge Raphael Fernandez said they have already implemented measures against ASF in international flights.
They will also implement the same measures for domestic flights after receiving copies of EO 14.
“I am quite disturbed that MCIA and CPA have just received copies of EO 14. This is a matter of utmost urgency. We’re primarily relying on the CPA and MCIA,” Garcia said. (RTF)