AN ORDINANCE permanently banning pork from Luzon and other African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected areas was signed by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer on Tuesday, November 26.
The signing of Provincial Ordinance 2019-024, otherwise known as the ASF Prevention Ordinance of Negros Occidental, witnessed by members of the Provincial Board of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
Lacson also declared Negros Occidental as an ASF-free province by virtue of SP Resolution No. 1042, Series of 2019.
The governor, in his speech, said the legislation is important as it will further strengthen the province’s drive against the deadly virus affecting the country’s swine industry.
Though, he said there seemed to be a legal battle as some groups have already expressed intention to legally question the ordinance.
“There’s a possibility of legal battle,” Lacson said, adding that “whatever it takes, we will challenge any effort from those who will violate the ordinance.”
The two top Negros officials, along with SP members and employees, also signed a pledge of support to ASF-free Negros Occidental. They then led the lechon eating aimed at promoting the province as free from the virus.
It can be recalled that in September 2019, Lacson, who chairs the Provincial Task Force against ASF, issued Executive Order No. 19-40, Series of 2019 temporarily banning pork products coming from Luzon.
The 90-day ban was among the measures to ensure the safety of the P6-billion swine industry of Negros Occidental, one of the top producers of swine in the country.
It was implemented days after the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed positive cases of ASF in Luzon, particularly in farms of Rizal and Bulacan.
The ban covers live pigs, pork, pork products and by-products from Luzon whether fresh, processed or canned which can carry the ASF virus.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena, for his part, said after the publication Wednesday, November 27, they will start implementing the provisions of the ordinance on December 6, 2019.
Decena, who is also the co-chair of the task force, said that part of the salient features of the ordinance is continuous inspection and confiscation of pork products from ASF-affected areas that will be intercepted among ports.
“When in doubt, inspectors can ship back the pork products including those mixed in other shipments like chicken and beef,” he said, adding that penalties range from P1,000 to 5,000 and an imprisonment of one year depending on the gravity of the offense.
The provincial ordinance also covers Bacolod City.
“Across territorial and political boundaries, we will pursue the inspection and confiscation,” Decena said.
He pointed out that there’s a need to put a cover boarder as there might be those who will “test” the ordinance, but said “we are ready to face them.”