Capiz pork ban takes effect as ASF death toll, red zones mount

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Capiz Governor Fredenil Castro has issued an executive order (EO) 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 (ASF) in nearby Negros Island and Iloilo province.

The EO, issued Wednesday, June 24, explicitly prohibits 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. It does not pose a direct health risk to humans.

Castro also created the Provincial African Swine Fever Task Force, which has been mandated to confiscate pork products from traders attempting entry into the province.

Border checkpoints have been established at the boundaries of Tapaz, Dumarao, Pilar, and Maayon. The National Veterinary Quarantine Services has been directed to implement necessary measures to prevent ASF from entering through sea and air ports.

Four towns in Capiz were placed under red zone status after suspected ASF cases affected local hog populations.

Dr. Lloyd Burata, the newly designated Capiz provincial veterinarian, identified the affected towns as Panay and Panitan in the 1st District, and Ivisan and Sapian in the 2nd District.

Burata said his office is monitoring the affected areas and collecting samples from hogs to assess the situation before lifting the red zone designation.

He urged the public, particularly in the 2nd District, to inform their municipal agriculturists of any suspected cases for proper action and disposition.

Burata added that four other towns in the province have also reported cases of dying swine, though authorities have yet to determine whether ASF is the cause.

Meanwhile, the Roxas City Veterinary Office urged hog raisers to report swine deaths or signs of weakness to the office.

Dr. Leah Ingalla, city veterinarian, said hog deaths suspected to be linked to ASF were reported in two barangays in Roxas City — Balijuagan and Bago — where personnel from her office were deployed to inspect the animals and their enclosures.

Blood samples were collected and will be submitted to the regional laboratory to confirm the cause of death and illness.

Ingalla said eight to 10 hogs were reported dead in the affected areas due to suspected ASF infection.

In a separate incident on Tuesday, June 24, 50 hogs in Barangay Banate in Pontevedra, Capiz, died of ASF. The owner slaughtered and cooked the animals and distributed the meat to neighbors.