Negros Occidental remains free from dreaded ASF after no declaration from BAI, DA; loses due to hog deaths reach P75M

BECAUSE there is no declaration from the Bureau of Animal Industry and the Department of Agriculture that Negros Occidental is infected with the African swine fever, most of the localities in the province still belongs to the "Green Zone," Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Monday, May 29.

Green Zone means ASF-free areas.

The zone map of the DA classified Bacolod City under "Red Zone" after two cases of ASF have been declared by the DA in Barangay Taculing.

Neighboring Bago City, Murcia and Talisay City were under the “pink buffer zone,” Pulupandan, Valladolid, La Carlota City, Salvador Benedicto, Silay City and EB Magalona – “yellow surveillance zone,” and the rest of the province were under the “green ASF-free zone.”

Guidelines have been issued by the province that includes the banning of the entry of pigs and pork products from Bacolod City to local government units in the province in compliance with protocols implemented by BAI.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said said the movement of live hogs, boar semen, raw meat, and locally processed meat, including lechons and chorizo, regardless of their source, from Bacolod to Negros Occidental towns and cities have been restricted.

Losses due to hog deaths in the province are already pegged at P75,503,775, the Provincial Veterinary Office reported.

Provincial Veterinarian Placeda Lemana, said the selling and buying of pigs and pork still continues in the province.

However, she said there is now "panic selling" of hogs and pork in the fourth district because of the massive hog deaths. That's why buyers prefer to buy there at a lower price. The sixth district of the province which is not affected by the animal diseases like hog cholera, is having a problem selling their pigs and pork especially that Negros Oriental has already banned the entry of hogs from the province.

"There has been no declaration that we are ASF infected," Lacson said, adding, “our protocols really are geared towards addressing whatever virus is present. It doesn't matter anymore what kind of virus. We have been taking steps to protect every locality."

"I agree with Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer that only the BAI and the DA can declare that we are ASF infected," Lacson reiterated.

The governor also said that the selling of pork and pork-based products continues especially from private hog farms.

Lacson said what the provincial government can confirm is that "the recent cases of hog deaths are caused by hog cholera.”