3 provinces ban pork entry

TACLOBAN CITY—THREE provinces in Eastern Visayas have banned the entry of live hogs, pork and pork-related products from areas with confirmed cases of the African swine fever (ASF).

The governors of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Southern Leyte said they needed to impose a ban on live hogs, pork and pork-related products from Mindanao,

Luzon and foreign countries where there were cases of ASF to protect their provinces from a disease that has affected the hog industry.

Gov. Edwin Ongchuan of Northern Samar said only pork and other pork-related products within Eastern Visayas would be allowed to enter his province.

Those delivering live hogs, pork and pork products should also present the needed documents like meat inspection certificate from the National

150 days

The total ban on pigs and pork products in Northern Samar started on Feb. 6 and would be implemented for 150 days.

Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone also imposed a total ban on live swine, pork and pork-related products from Luzon, Mindanao and countries where there were confirmed ASF cases.

Evardone ordered the setup of quarantine checkpoints in the towns of Lawaan, Guiuan, Oras, Taft and Arteche.

The checkpoints, he said, would be manned by personnel of the municipal agricultural services, police and barangay tanods.

Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado also ordered on Feb. 3 the extension by another 100 days the total ban on pork and other pork-related products from Mindanao and Luzon.