SAGADA Mayor James Pooten assured quality and safety of the etag (preserved pork) industry.
Pooten said town hogs remain free of the African Swine Fever (ASF), assuring continuity of etag production in the town.
He said hogs from the Department of Agriculture were given to local folk before the outbreak of ASF in November 2019.
He added that hogs in the town have tested negative for ASF since the disease hit local piggeries in the surrounding towns and municipalities.
He said the making of etag is a home industry in the town that locals know by heart how to produce it.
Amid confirmed cases of ASF in the Cordillera, food safety and cleanliness during butchering of pigs is urged to be observed by the National Meat Inspection Service.
Cameron Odsey, Department of Agriculture regional executive director, also encouraged stakeholders to avoid buying hogs online and consult municipal agriculturist office on where to purchase pigs.
Weeks ago, ASF-positive cases were recorded in Itogon, La Trinidad, Tuba in Benguet, Tanudan and Tabuk in Kalinga province. (Maria Elena Catajan)