Palace summons all CV chief execs on pork ban

All local chief executives in Central Visayas are called to a meeting in Malacañang today to discuss their imposition of the ban on pork and pork-related products, including hog feeds, from areas affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF).

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is not attending the meeting but will send a representative. She said it was provided in the invitation that a representative may attend in lieu of the local chief executive.

In a press conference yesterday, Garcia clarified that despite pressures from big meat manufacturers in the country, the province will continue implementing the ban on all pork, pork-related products, live hogs, frozen boar semen and commingled meat from the entire islands of Luzon and Mindanao and Region VIII.

"We continue to stand by the previously issued executive orders," she said.

The ban on pork from Luzon and Region XI or the Davao region is indefinite since the areas have confirmed ASF cases. This is along with the pork ban on Region VIII which has lifted its pork ban and has been seen as a possible passageway of pork from infected areas to enter Cebu.

On the other hand, the pork ban in the entire island of Mindanao is only set to last for 90 days. Garcia also clarified allegations that she has gone against President Rodrigo Duterte's orders as stated in Administrative Order 22 for all local government units to comply with the zoning scheme by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

According to the governor, the total ban on pork from infected areas goes along the goal of AO 22-- the protection of ASF-free areas from possible infection.

Further she pointed out that in page 39 of DA Administrative Circular 12, it was stated that cooked and canned pork products from red zoned or infected areas can enter free zones like Cebu.

This, Garcia said, is inconsistent with the total ban of pork products from ASF-infected countries which include canned pork and cooked pork.

"Hindi na nga ina-allow eh-- 'yung mga meat, pork products whether this be fresh or canned coming from other countries that are already infected with ASF… bakit naman in the DA's own zoning plan ina-allow yung canned and fully cooked products coming from infected provinces in the Philippines mismo," she questioned.

"Why the distinction? Are we really after the control of ASF or there are exceptions to the rule when it comes to canned products manufactured in the Philippines and in effect, big businesses that are now affected,' Garcia added.

Garcia pointed out that the ASF is just as "lethal" regardless of its origin.

"Mas dangerous ba yung ASF na galing from other countries? ASF is ASF anywhere and it's just as lethal," she said.