The Cebu Provincial Veterinary Office intercepted 42 live hogs from Negros Oriental at Tangil Wharf in Dumanjug, Cebu, on Saturday, enforcing the province’s temporary ban against African swine fever (ASF).

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy said the shipment arrived from Bulado Port in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. She credited the Dumanjug Municipal Government and its ASF Task Force for intercepting the animals, which were immediately loaded back onto a vessel and returned to their point of origin.

On 7 July, Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro issued Executive Order 39, imposing a 45-day ban on the entry of live hogs, fresh pork, and processed pork products from Negros Oriental and other ASF-affected areas.

Vincoy stressed that the ban applies regardless of whether shipments are accompanied by complete documents.

“Executive Order 39 is not about the documents. It is a temporary ban,” she said.

The border control measures aim to protect Cebu’s P21-billion hog industry from the spread of ASF.

Baricuatro said the provincial government has been working closely with local hog raisers to strengthen the local swine industry.

“We have met with local hog raisers to discuss ways to market local pork and protect the industry from ASF and pork brought in from outside the province,” Baricuatro told the DAILY TRIBUNE.

Authorities continue to monitor Cebu’s ports and other entry points, with assistance from the Philippine National Police, its Maritime Group and the Philippine Coast Guard.

Vincoy added that around 900 barangay animal health aides are monitoring hog populations and immediately reporting illnesses or animal deaths to municipal livestock coordinators to help prevent the spread of ASF.