Councilor pushes approval of anti-swine fever ordinance

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., is pushing for the approval of an ordinance banning the entry of pork and related products coming from areas affected by the African swine fever (ASF).

Gamboa, who authored the proposed ordinance, pointed out that even if Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued an executive order forming the city’s task force on swine fever, it would be better that the campaign will be further strengthened through the passage of an ordinance.

He said the anti-swine fever ordinance passed by the provincial board of Negros Occidental is the basis for Bacolod City’s anti-swine fever ordinance.

Under the proposed ordinance, the city’s anti-swine fever task force will be placed in charge of preventing the importation and sale of hogs and pork products coming from areas affected by swine fever.

Earlier, City Agriculturist and anti-African swine fever task force head, Atty. Goldwyn Nifras, recommended a ban on the importation of pork into the city amid ongoing matters surrounding African swine fever.