CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Bohol has intensified its preventive measures and containment of suspected cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) especially in three barangays in one of the province’s 47 towns.

A TARPAULIN posted at the Tagbilaran City port warns passengers that bringing pork and pork-related to Bohol is banned. (Calvin D. Cordova)

Although three barangays in Dauis town have logged ASF cases, Bohol remains under “light green” zone, the Provincial ASF Inter-Agency Task Force said. A green zone means ASF was not detected and considered a moderate risk in mainland Bohol.

Dr. Constante Palabrica, Department of Agriculture assistant secretary and Bureau of Animal Industry officer-in-charge, disclosed that a team was sent to barangays Mayacabac, Biking, and Mariveles in Dauis to check on the situation.

Dr. Anthony Damalerio, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, emphasized the need for public cooperation in strengthening the task force's efforts to protect the province’s P6-billion hog industry from the contagious ASF. “Let’s help each other. We urge the public to fully cooperate," Damalerio said.

Damalerio said efforts have to be intensified to contain the ASF and prevent its possible spread to mainland Bohol.

There are about 48,000 hog raisers in mainland Bohol with 80 percent categorized as small backyard with the remaining 20 percent commercial.

Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) head,  said the task force's main priority at the moment is to contain the disease in Dauis.

The ASF Task Force has been working on a traffic route plan between mainland Bohol and Panglao Island based on an executive order issued by Gov. Aris Aumentado. The traffic route plan mainly aims to prevent the disease from spreading to other mainland areas. 

Vehicles are being checked as transporting live pigs, meat, and other pork-related products from Panglao Island to other areas is prohibited.