TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Eastern Visayas (DA-8) has asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to appeal to local chief executives to reconsider their policies that impede the flow of breeder hogs, and pork products.
DA-8 relayed to the DILG in Eastern Visayas (DILG-8) the concerns raised by hog raisers in Mindanao, who need to transport their hogs and pork products to Visayas and Luzon.
The hog raisers complained that some local chief executives in the region have barred the passage of these vital meat products through their areas because of the threat posed by the African swine fever (ASF).
According to DA-8, these local issuances adversely have affected the free flow of goods and food value chain in the country.
DILG-8 Assistant Regional Director Darwin Bibar said that he will promptly bring up the matter with DILG Regional Director Karl Caesar Rimando so that he could decide on enhancing checkpoint protocols, while ensuring the unhampered movement of agri-fishery products.