GOVERNOR Aris Aumentado held an urgent meeting with Bohol mayors to coordinate protocols against the African Swine Fever from entering the Province after 58 samples from Carcar, Cebu, tested positive on March 6.
Held on Wednesday, March 8, at the New Capitol Building in Tagbilaran, this meeting focused on implementing Executive Order No. 11, Series of 2023, or the prohibition of the entry of live pigs, pork, pork products, and frozen semen from the island Province of Cebu and Cebu City into the Province of Bohol. The E.O. is under Provincial Ordinance No.2022-011 as an effort from the Provincial Government to protect Bohol’s 6 billion peso live hog industry against ASF, protecting 48,000 pig farmers.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Lapiz highlighted the importance of LGU cooperation in the event of an ASF outbreak in Bohol. Lapiz encouraged strengthening the Liga ng mga Barangay’s information campaign about the impact of ASF on the economy and enlisting the cooperation of hog farm operations and slaughterhouses to adopt strict biosecurity measures.
Through community participation and strong political will, the Provincial Government hopes to keep Bohol as an ASF-Free zone amidst the outbreaks happening in other Provinces. (PiMO/GMC/ALT)
URGENT MEETING
Governor Aris Aumentado met with key officials of the ASF Provincial Inter-agency Task Force last Monday, March 6, for an urgent meeting on stricter border control and inspections to prevent the entry of live hogs, pork, and pork products outside Bohol to protect the local hog-raising industry against African Swine Fever (ASF).
During the meeting, Aumentado stressed the importance of enacting a swift contingency plan for Bohol to remain in the green zone or as an ASF-free area. Also part of the discussion were protocols to be enacted once live hogs in the Province test positive for ASF.
Together with Aumentado were Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, OPV head Dr. Stella Marie D. Lapiz, Provincial Legal Officer Lawyer Handel Lagunay, DILG-Bohol Provincial Director Jerome Gonzales, DA-PATTCO Officer Roman Dabalos, PDRRMO head Anthony Damalerio, Provincial Engineer Camilo Gasatan, Provincial Budget Officer Peter Retutal, Marcela Farms CEO Marlito Uy, Feeds Industry representative Ian Uy, and other representatives involved in the Provincial ASF task force.
Lapiz pointed out the need for the task force to strictly monitor coastal areas and be vigilant on live hogs and pork products going through coastal barangays smuggled via pump boats. The meeting also discussed adding more PCR Test facilities for live hogs in the Province, especially in Tagbilaran City.
OPV also discussed the need to strengthen information education campaigns and will coordinate with DILG to meet with coastal barangays about ASF.
After the meeting, Aumentado signed Provincial Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2023, or the prohibition of the entry of live pigs, pork, pork products, and frozen semen from the island Province of Cebu and Cebu City into the Province of Bohol, after live hogs in Carcar, Cebu tested positive for ASF.
Aumentado hopes to strengthen the task force to prevent the virus from reaching the Province’s shores to maintain the 271 percent sufficiency rate of Bohol’s pork meat supply and protect the livelihood of local hog raisers. (PiMO/ GMC/ALT)
