CEBU CITY -- The provincial government of Cebu will proceed with its own policy in managing African Swine Fever (ASF) cases affecting some areas in the province.
The province through its legal officer, Atty. Donato Villa Jr., also warned the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) that it should consult the province first if it will enforce some policy in connection with addressing ASF cases.
Villa Jr. made the statement in response to BAI’s announcement of its plan to continue with its protocol to color code local government units in Cebu as part of ASF prevention.
BAI on Monday, March 20, announced that apart from Carcar City, ASF cases have also been confirmed in the cities of Cebu and Bogo and in the towns of Liloan, Sibonga and Tuburan.
BAI also raised the need for depopulation or culling of hogs located within 500 meters of affected areas to prevent the disease from spreading.
Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia has ordered the suspension of culling pending further tests to confirm if what is really affecting some hogs in Carcar is ASF.
“The Province of Cebu will proceed with its plan to formulate its own protocol considering that the protocol the BAI will be implementing is unrealistic and has not gone through consultation with the LGUs and the Province of Cebu in compliance with Section 2(c), Section 25(b), Section 27 of the Local Government Code (LGC),” Villa said.
Villa reminded BAI that it is obliged to consult and involve the LGUs and the Province of Cebu in the planning and implementation of any program or policy in accordance with the provisions of the LGC.
“Moreover, they should also be reminded of the power and duty of the Governor under Section 465 to file cases against national agency officials who may have committed an offense in connection with their functions and obligations,” Villa said.