CEBU CITY -- The province of Cebu has extended the ban on the entry of live hogs, pork and pork products coming from Panay Island.
In a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 22, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia announced that the ban is extended until June 30 next year.
Last Oct. 13, Garcia issued Executive Order No. 42 that imposed the ban for 60 days or until Dec. 12.
Garcia said the province found it necessary to extend the ban as the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Iloilo has yet to be contained.
Mary Rose Vincoy, provincial veterinarian, said the ban now covers Guimaras after ASF cases have been confirmed to reach the province.
Vincoy said extending the ban is all part of the province's efforts to protect Cebu's P11-billion hog industry.
Despite the prolonged ban on the entry of pork from ASF-affected areas, Cebu still has enough supply of pork.
"We have enough supply of pork. In fact, Cebu is supplying porks to ASF-affected areas," said Garcia.
Garcia said it has been observed that backyard hog raisers have increased in Cebu after more areas have opted to get their pork supply from the province.
Hogs, pork and pork products from Luzon, Mindanao and Eastern Visayas are also banned from entering Cebu.