BENGUET province is not lifting yet its temporary ban on the entry of pigs and pork-based products to protect the local hog industry.
"That is one livelihood and source of income for their family and once it will be hit (virus), it will be difficult," said Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, despite him acknowledging that the people in the province are meat eaters.
He said checkpoints remain on Kennon Road, Marcos Highway, Tadiangan, Banangan in Sablan, Bokod, Bangao in Buguias, and Colalo in Mankayan to prevent the entry of live pigs and pork.
As of October 31, the Provincial Veterinary Office has confiscated and buried five dead swine and 44 dead chickens.
A total of 60 shipments were also denied entry. The shipment was composed of 123 swine, 38,287.36 kilograms of pork and assorted meat products, 36,360 pieces of eggs, 82 native chicken, 61 ducks, four turkey, eight dove and two cattle.
The denial of entry was done in line with executive order 2019-36, which temporarily bans entry of swine, pork and pork products from ASF-affected areas.
Meanwhile, 47 shipments were denied entry but were able to enter after securing required permits.
The agriculture department in Cordillera recorded a total of 260,000 pigs in the region, with the provinces of Kalinga, Abra and Benguet with the most population of pigs.
Diclas said the lifting of the temporary ban will only be made until such time that the Department of Agriculture declares the country ASF-free.