Bacolod Declares ASF-Free Status, Boosts Pork Industry

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez announced Monday that Bacolod City is now free from African swine fever.

The declaration was formalized through an executive order issued after the Department of Agriculture Western Visayas endorsed the City Veterinary Office’s compliance with national ASF recovery guidelines.

The executive order noted that DA-6 commended the city’s local ASF team and recommended reclassifying Bacolod from an infected zone (Red) to a buffer zone (Pink).

The City Veterinary Office also recommended declaring Bacolod ASF-free while maintaining its Pink Zone status.

Benitez said the declaration marks a significant achievement in disease control, restoring consumer confidence and economic stability in the local pork industry.

He praised the City Veterinary Office and ASF Task Force for their swift and dedicated response to controlling the outbreak.

In February 2024, Benitez directed the CVO to allow the movement of pork and other swine products in the city to prevent a shortage of basic food items, in accordance with updated DA guidelines.