SAGADA Mayor James Pooten Jr. has ordered the ban of entry of live pigs, fresh pork and pork products without proper documentary and transport permits from the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS).
The chief executive said for fresh pork and pork related products, a certificate of meat inspection from NMIS and proper shipping permit must accompany the products.
Pooten Jr. through his Executive Order No. 56-19 explained Republic Act 7160 mandates every local government unit to ensure the safety and health of its constituents thus the issuance of the ban.
He cited Department of Agriculture confirmation on African Swine Fever (ASF) that has already affected Rizal, Bulacan, and Quezon City and is possible to spread out to other places.
“There is an urgent need for Sagada LGU to prevent the entry of live pigs, fresh pork and pork products to protect local hog growers from economic and production losses due to ASF,” the mayor added.
Earlier, the Sagada Municipal Council also alerted the public against the possible entry and occurrence of the virus.
The council asked the public to avoid and cautioned themselves from purchasing any fresh pork, frozen foods made of pork related pork products coming outside Sagada.
All etag (preserved salted meat) processors are advised to refrain from using imported pork while all inns and homestays association in the town are advised to be vigilant and inform guests in advance not to bring pork products to Sagada.
Bus drivers and conductors meanwhile are asked to refrain from bringing food scraps from restaurants and hog raisers to refrain from feeding food scraps locally known as “arasaw” to pigs.
In the Cordillera Administrative Region, the provincial government of Abra imposed a total ban on the entry of all swine and pork products and Benguet province imposing temporary ban on the entry of live pigs and pork meat products to ensure food safety and livestock security against the virus.
The ASF is 100 percent fatal to pigs but remains harmless to humans.
The Provincial Veterinary Office, Municipal Agriculture Offices, police and other agencies concerned are directed to strictly enforce the quarantine control protocols and food safety measures.
DA-CAR record shows there are total of 260,000 pigs in Cordillera with the provinces of Kalinga, Abra and Benguet with the most population of pigs.