Negros Oriental Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria has issued Executive Order No. 10 allowing the transport and movement of live hogs, pork products, and by-products into the Province.
Negros Oriental Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria has issued Executive Order No. 10 allowing the transport and movement of live hogs, pork products, and by-products into the Province.
Governor Sagarbarria issued the Executive Order Wednesday, after the prices of pork surged due to lack of supply.
The importation of pork into Negros Oriental had been banned since cases of the African Swine Fever (ASF) decimated last year the population of pigs in the Province.
With the declining cases of ASF in the Province, Sagarbarria classified Negros Oriental into five zones:
Red zone include towns or cities with confirmed ASF outbreaks;
Pink zone include areas around the Red zone, but which do not have any reported ASF cases;
Yellow zone includes areas adjacent to the Pink zone but with no reported ASF cases;
Light Green zone include towns or cities where ASF is not detected and are considered to be “moderate risk” areas; and
Dark Green zone include areas considered “low-risk” where trading of hogs and livestock are allowed.
“The ASF outbreak had resulted in the culling of more than 300,000 pigs, causing a decline of up to 20.8 percent in pork production,” the provincial government said in a statement.
Governor Sagarbarria expressed confidence the lifting of the ban would boost businesses, and contribute to a cost-effective market economy.
The Executive Order was issued on the same day that 15 livestock traders lost their lives when the truck they were riding fell into a ravine in barangay Bulwang, Mabinay.
The Province of Negros Occidental, however, continues to ban the entry of live pigs and pork products.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Lacson said the Province would continue to follow its policy, especially in areas categorized as a Red zone.
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Photo Caption: Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria issues Executive Order No. 10 opening the gates of the Province for the transport and movement of live hogs and pork products.
