Roxas City tightens ASF border ban

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The city government has imposed a strict ban on the entry of hogs and meat products to prevent the spread of African swine fever, or ASF, in Roxas City.

In an advisory issued Thursday, July 2, Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas said the city government, through its ASF Task Force, will intensify border controls, conduct checkpoints, and implement strict veterinary quarantine procedures and food safety measures.

The measures cover the movement of swine, pork, pork products, and byproducts at Culasi Port, Roxas City Airport, Libas Fishing Port, Banica Wharf, Punta Cogon, Cogon, and other areas in the city.

The city government urged the public to cooperate to protect the hog industry and maintain Roxas City’s ASF-free status.

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

Earlier, the Capiz provincial government imposed a ban on the entry of live pigs, pork, pork products, and related livestock shipments originating from or passing through Iloilo province and Negros Island to protect its swine industry from ASF.

The order was formalized through Executive Order No. 21, Series of 2026, signed by Gov. Fredenil H. Castro on June 24, 2026, and took effect immediately.

The executive order prohibits the entry into Capiz of live pigs, pork, pork products, and byproducts, as well as hog carriers, transport vehicles, and hog traders coming from or passing through ASF-positive and ASF-suspected areas, particularly Iloilo province and Negros Island.

The Provincial Veterinary Office earlier confirmed that Roxas City and four towns in Capiz’s First District had been placed under red zones after blood samples taken from pigs tested positive for ASF.

The affected towns are Panay, Panitan, Pontevedra, and Maayon.

The Provincial Veterinary Office and the Department of Agriculture have since conducted strict monitoring in areas with confirmed ASF cases.