DA chief urges Cebu, Bohol not to ban pork products from Luzon

September 22, 2019

Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Saturday appealed to the governors of Cebu and Bohol province not to limit the movement of goods, especially pork products, following the outbreak of African swine fever in some areas of Luzon.

“In these trying times, particularly in protecting our shores from the challenges of major diseases such as the African Swine Fever (ASF), we appeal for unity and brotherhood among our countrymen, most particularly our local chief executives,” Dar said.

“While we wish to protect our respective borders, we should not limit the movement of goods, most particularly food,” he added.

Dar statement came after Cebu and Bohol declared a ban of entry of pork and pork products from Luzon due to ASF.

He asked them to soften their hearts and allow the food lines to flow freely, most particularly the transport and trade of ASF-free hogs, pork, pork products and processed food items, to and from Cebu and Bohol, and elsewhere in Visayas, Luzon and Mindanao.

“We call on our political leaders from Cebu and Bohol to reconsider their strong stance to restrict trade. Such hard position may create repercussions where other provinces may retaliate by cutting off the food lines to and fro Cebu and Bohol,” he said.

“We would not like that to happen -- isolating and depriving each other from the basic right to food,” he added.

However, the two governors have stood firm on their decision as they did not want their hog raisers to be affected by the disease. Ella Dionisio/DMS