Capiz lifts pork entry ban, keeps quarantine controls

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Gov. Fredenil H. Castro has lifted the ban on the entry of hogs, pork and pork products into Capiz.

Under Executive Order No. 30, Series of 2026, Castro lifted restrictions on hogs, pork and pork products coming from Negros Island, Iloilo province and other areas.

However, regulations governing the transport of hogs and pork products, including quarantine checkpoint operations, will remain in place to prevent the spread of animal diseases.

Castro urged hog raisers, traders and other stakeholders to cooperate with authorities and observe biosecurity protocols.

In July, Castro issued an executive order banning the entry of live pigs, pork, pork products and byproducts, hog carrier vehicles and hog traders into the province following confirmed cases of African swine fever in nearby Negros Island and Iloilo province.

The earlier order prohibited the loading, transport and sale of these products originating from or passing through ASF-positive and ASF-suspected areas.

African swine fever is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs but does not pose a direct health risk to humans.

Castro also created the Provincial African Swine Fever Task Force, which was mandated to confiscate pork products from traders attempting to enter the province in violation of the restrictions.

Border checkpoints were established at the boundaries of Tapaz, Dumarao, Pilar and Maayon.

The National Veterinary Quarantine Services was also directed to implement measures to prevent ASF from entering the province through seaports and airports.