Entry of live pigs, pork and pork- related products and by-products from Masbate in all the coastal areas of the province of Capiz is prohibited.
This was disclosed by Governor Esteban Evan Contreras as the provincial government implements a strict monitoring of its coastlines through the “Bantay ASF sa Baybay” after the fatal animal swine disease already reached the island province of Masbate.
The provinces of Capiz and Masbate are only separated by the Visayan Sea.
Contreras has also prohibited the entry into the province of live pigs, pork, pork – related products and pork by – products whether raw, processed or frozen from Luzon or outside the country as stipulated in Executive Order No. 014 issued in September 2019.
A Capiz Provincial African Swine Fever Task Force (CPASFTF) through Executive Order No. 008 was also formed by Contreras to enforce tight detection and biosecurity measures for the protection of its hog industry against the ASF threat.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Leonel Abordo, in a radio interview last January, said that the province is still ASF – free because of the strict enforcement measures like the ban on entry of live pigs and processed pork products particularly from ASF – affected areas.
The CPASFTTF has also designated the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian telephone number (036) 6214160 and mobile numbers 09085188789; 09938172127; 09356741806 and 09327708274 as campaign hotlines. (PIA Capiz)
