Bacolod controls pork movement amid ASF threat

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD City — The city government has directed all barangay officials, hog raisers, livestock technicians, veterinarians, meat inspectors, slaughterhouse operators, traders, and transporters to immediately report any unusual sickness or mortality among pigs to the City Veterinary Office amid the threat of African swine fever, which has affected parts of Negros Occidental.

Mayor Greg Gasataya issued an executive order Monday establishing guidelines for the prevention, control, and containment of ASF in the city.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, causing significant economic losses to the swine industry and posing a serious threat to food security and the livelihood of hog raisers.

Gasataya warned that failure to report suspected ASF cases may be subject to appropriate administrative and legal action.

The Bantay ASF program has been reactivated to assist in the surveillance and monitoring of ASF in respective barangay jurisdictions, pursuant to Department of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 7, series of 2021, or the “Implementing Guidelines for the Bantay ASF sa Barangay Program.”

While there have been no confirmed ASF cases in the city, Gasataya stressed the need to strengthen preparedness and response measures through enhanced biosecurity, disease surveillance, early detection, effective quarantine and movement control, and coordinated enforcement to prevent the entry and spread of ASF.

The executive order states that the transport of live pigs, pork, pork products, and swine byproducts into, out of, and within the city shall be subject to existing national laws and regulations.

No shipment shall be allowed without the required veterinary health certificate, shipping permit, meat inspection certificate, and other documents prescribed by the Bureau of Animal Industry and the City Veterinary Office.

Gasataya said the entry of all live pigs, pork, and pork products from areas with confirmed ASF cases shall be strictly prohibited.

He said quarantine checkpoints will be established at strategic entry and exit points to inspect all shipments involving swine and swine products.

The city earlier said it would intensify monitoring in 13 identified border control areas, including seaports, to strengthen surveillance, inspection, and monitoring activities.

All swine farms and individual backyard operators within the city shall implement strict biosecurity standards, including restricting farm visitors, installing footbaths and vehicle disinfection facilities, regularly cleaning and disinfecting facilities, equipment, and transport vehicles, properly disposing of animal waste and carcasses, and strictly observing the swill ban.

The executive order also prohibits feeding untreated food waste or swill to pigs unless otherwise permitted under applicable regulations.

Newly purchased or returning pigs must also be isolated for 30 days before being introduced to the main herd.

Confirmed infected and exposed pigs shall be humanely culled and disposed of in accordance with existing veterinary, environmental, and public health regulations, the executive order said.

The city slaughterhouse, meat vendors, transporters, and public markets were also urged to strictly comply with meat inspection laws and veterinary regulations.

The sale or distribution of pork products from ASF-restricted areas without proper certification is prohibited.

The city was declared ASF-free in June 2025 after complying with national recovery protocols.

Earlier, in February 2024, Bacolod implemented controlled movement of pork and swine products to prevent shortages while following updated Department of Agriculture guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.

The renewed vigilance comes after ASF cases were confirmed in San Enrique, Negros Occidental, where more than 500 pigs reportedly died, according to Mayor Jilson Tubillara.