Mountain Province capital Bontoc bans live hogs, pork from Ilocos Sur due to ASF
BONTOC, the capital of Mountain Province, is temporarily banning hogs and pork products from Cervantes, lIocos Sur, after the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) there.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome Tudlong, Jr. in a public advisory warned his constituents about cases of ASF spreading from Ilocos to adjoining areas.
“To prevent further spread of this disease and to help protect the livelihood of our swine raisers against the re-infection of ASF in our municipality, the entry of live swine/pigs, pork, locally processed pork products and by-products from the said area is hereby suspended,” the mayor said.
ASF was detected in a barangay in Cervantes in July, prompting other towns in Ilocos Sur to erect barriers against pigs or pork products from that town.
On July 24, the government of Benguet province issued a temporary ban on the entry of hogs and swine products from Cervantes.
In the first week of August, Abra province and Bauko, Mountain Province did the same.
Checkpoints were set up at the border of Ilocos Sur and nearby provinces.
On Aug. 12, three hog traders were intercepted at the border transporting 11 pigs. — Artemio A. Dumlao
