LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—Authorities in Ilocos Sur province confiscated Tuesday at least P300,000 worth of meat products at Bio village in Tagudin town.
The meat products came from Pangasinan province and did not go through the proper quarantine checkpoint, according to the provincial veterinary office (PVO).
At least 116 boxes containing various meat products and 35 sacks of marinated chicken were transported through refrigerator vans without a shipping permit and a meat inspection certificate, the PVO said.
Confiscated were P193,908 worth of processed meat products and P109,600 worth of marinated chicken.
Provincial quarantine officer Martel Quitoriano said the individuals involved in the illegal transport of meat were reprimanded and may face revocation of their license to transport.
Quitoriano reminded meat traders to follow stringent protocols, especially since African swine fever (ASF) persists and the recent threat of bird flu.
The provincial government has intensified its crackdown on smuggled meat as it feared that ASF may continue to spread in Ilocos Sur.