BACOLOD City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has issued Executive Order (EO) 1, declaring the city locally free from African Swine Fever (ASF).
Benitez, who signed the EO on Monday, June 2, 2025, said that Department of Agriculture (DA) Administrative Order 30, Series of 2021, provides the “Guidelines on the Recovery and Declaration of Freedom from ASF for Local Government Units (LGUs).”
He said DA Western Visayas Executive Director Dennis Arpia, in his letter dated April 30, 2025, evaluated the documents submitted by the City Veterinary Office as a requirement for the local declaration of ASF-free status.
He said he found them to be in compliance with Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of DA Administrative Order 30, Series of 2021.
The mayor noted that Section 16 of the Local Government Code provides that LGUs shall exercise powers expressly granted, those necessary implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare.
“The DA-Region VI highly commended the efforts of the City of Bacolod's Local ASF Team and recommended that the City of Bacolod pursue a local declaration from an Infected Zone (Red) to a Buffer Zone (Pink),” Benitez said.
He said the Bacolod City Veterinary Office recommends the declaration of ASF-Free Bacolod and the maintenance of the city's Pink Zone Status.
“The declaration of the City of Bacolod to be locally free from ASF will signify the City of Bacolod's achievements in disease control efforts, bringing economic stability and consumer confidence in the pork production industry of the city,” he added. (MAP)