DAVAO CITY - The local government of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) confirmed on Friday the first case of African swine fever (ASF) in Talicud island.
In a statement on Friday, Samal Bantay ASF said the entry and exit of live hogs and other pork meat products in Talicud island will be prohibited to stop the spread of the ASF.
Earlier, IGACOS City Mayor Al David Uy signed on Thursday Executive Order No. 267, ordering the temporary ban on entry and transportation of live hogs and pork meat products in Talicud Island effective last November 25.
Based on the EO, Talicud Island reported a suspected ASF case affecting Barangays Dadatan and Linosutan.
"To protect the swine industry in the Island Garden City of Samal particularly in the entire Talicud Island, it is imperative to impose mitigating measures to stop the spread of ASF in the City," it added.
The temporary ban on transportation covers "all live hogs, pork and pork-related products and by-products, whether fresh, frozen, processed or cooked, including frozen boar semen."
The EO mandates members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Task Force Samal (TF), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Civilian Volunteer’s Organization (CVO) and Barangay Officials (BRGY) "to conduct surveillance and monitoring and the strict implementation of this Executive Order."
Violators shall be subjected to "judicial and administrative prosecution, including cancellation of business permit and confiscation of stocks for business establishments, in accordance with the applicable existing ordinances, laws, rules and regulations."
Last February 6, the LGU also issued EO No.185 to temporarily ban all live hogs and pork meat and other pork by-products from ASF-affected area. The EO also prohibited the feeding of "raw, swill / food wastes" to pigs in IGACOS.
In Davao De Oro, the provincial government also confirmed that 34 hogs died due to ASF in Barangay Siocon, Compostela town.
"This was confirmed by provincial veterinarian Dr. Rolando Simene," it said in a statement last Monday.
The provincial government encouraged hog raisers within the 500-meter radius of the infected area to coordinate with their Municipal Agriculture Office.