DEPARTMENT of Agriculture-Davao (DA-Davao) Regional Executive Director Abel Monteagudo called on the public to follow the restrictions on bringing pork products from other regions to Davao.
The official cited an incident he experienced while flying to Davao City where airport authorities accosted travelers bringing chicharron or pork rinds.
“I traveled from Iloilo to Cebu, Cebu to Davao a few days ago. There was a commotion in the airport when we boarded the plane because there was somebody trying to go home to Davao bringing along chicharron from Cebu,” Monteagudo said.
He said the passengers were not willing to surrender their bagful of chicharron coming to Cebu.
“The airport authorities in Cebu were kind enough to tell them they can bring that (chicharron) but they will be confiscated in Davao,” Monteagudo said.
He urged the public to tell their friends and relatives not to bring pork products from other regions to Davao as it is not allowed.
“We are in the pink zone in the battle against ASF (African Swine Fever) malapit na tayong mag green (we are nearing green) so don’t mess it up by bringing bawal (prohibited) goods from the outside,” he said during the One Davao hybrid media presser held Dec. 28 at the National Economic Development Authority-Davao office in Bangkal, Davao City.
The pink zone means a buffer area where ASF is not present but is adjacent to an ASF-contaminated area or red zone.
In an earlier interview, Monteagudo said there are areas that were once red zones in the region that are now free from ASF.
As part of efforts to assist in the recovery of the hog industry. The DA-Davao launched the Integrated National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion or Inspire.
Around 44 hog farmer associations in the region have received assistance from Inspire. The DA has allocated P300 million for the program in the region. PIA-Davao