The ban on the entry of pigs, boar semen and pork products into Negros Occidental, especially from African Swine Fever (ASF) red zones, will remain, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Sunday, February 25.
The possibility of Negros Occidental’s putting up checkpoints at its borders with Bacolod “will be the direction” they may take, Lacson said.
Lacson reiterated the position of the provincial government after Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez issued Executive Order No. 09 Series of 2024 allowing the entry of pork and pork products into Bacolod City.
Necessary permits and pertinent documents should accompany all such shipments, Benitez said.
Benitez issued the Bacolod EO No. 9 after he and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson signed Joint Executive Order No. 1. Series of 2024 on Friday.
The new joint order sets aside their joint EO in 2023 establishing the guidelines for the entry of pigs and pork products from areas with reported cases of ASF effective immediately.
The Department of Agriculture had tagged Bacolod City as an ASF red zone and Negros Occidental as a dark green zone.
DA Administrative Circular No. 12 establishing a National Zoning and Movement Plan for the Prevention and Control of ASF defines a red Zone as an Infected Zone, and a Dark Green Zone as ASF Free.
In view of the different classifications of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City and upon the recommendation of the DA, there is a need to set aside Joint Executive Order No. 1, Series of 2023 in order for the two Local Government Units to issue their respective guidelines on the entry of live pigs, pork, pork products, and other pork related food items from areas with reported cases of ASF, the new joint EO states.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Negros Occidental will not lift its ban on the entry of pigs and pork ”because we are a not classified as red zone. We are almost ready for repopulation and we want to protect local swine growers. We will come out with a separate EO tomorrow”.
“Bacolod is a pork consumer and they want supplies to come in regardless of where they come from,” he added.*