Basilan bans entry of hogs, pork due to ASF

Inquirer photo/Richard A. Reyes

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del. Sur, Philippines — The predominantly Muslim province of Basilan is banning the entry of live pigs, pork meat and other pork-related products due to the threat posed by African swine fever (ASF) in the hog industry in the locality.

Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman Hataman issued Executive Order No. 2024-06 on Monday implementing the ban even as he confirmed an ongoing infection in three barangays in Lamitan City, based on the laboratory test results from the blood samples taken from hogs raised in these villages.

READ: Agri department reviews African swine fever plan

Concern for livelihood

Dr. Sharmaine Tutuh, provincial veterinarian, had confirmed to the governor that hogs in Barangays Bulingan, Buahan and Calugusan, all of Lamitan City, tested positive for ASF.

Hataman said that since 70 percent of people in the province are Muslims, who do not eat pork and its related products, the ASF effect may not be that substantial.

READ: Despite ASF threat, Philippine hog industry sees better 2024

Basilan has a population of 426,207 based on the 2020 census, of which only 30 percent are Christians, mostly concentrated in the cities of Isabela and Lamitan.

But the governor had voiced out his concern over the ASF threat in Lamitan City’s swine industry and the livelihood of local farmers in the province.

Still disastrous

“ASF cases in Lamitan City may lead to disastrous effects, posing a significant threat to the local swine industry, food security and the livelihood of the local farmers throughout the island province of Basilan,” Hataman said, as he directed the province’s veterinary office to conduct an assessment on the number of affected hog raisers and the extent of the ASF’s spread in Lamitan City.

The executive order also prohibits the disposal of food wastes and kitchen scraps from hotels and food establishments for pigs as it enjoined the public to strictly adhere to strict biosecurity measures in farms already practiced in the province.

Hataman also ordered hog raisers to immediately report to the provincial veterinarian any suspicious incidence of mortality in their hog farms and to submit a written report about it. —Julie Alipala