Batangas temporarily bans hogs, pork products from ASF-hit areas in Luzon

September 14, 2019

The Office of Provincial Veterinarian in Batangas has declared a temporary ban on live hogs and pork products from African Swine Fever-affected areas.

Batangas Provincial Veterinarian Romelito Marasigan in a statement dated September 9 announced the temporary restriction.

The statement came after the Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of ASF, which killed several hogs in Rizal and Bulacan.

"In light of the impending animal disease emergency and to protect the health of local swine population of Batangas province, the temporary ban shall apply to all live pigs, pork and pork products coming from the following areas: Rizal Province, Bulacan Province, and Pampanga Province," said Marasigan.

The province will also implement the same temporary ban from areas covered by the 10-kilometer radius. These include General Nakar in Quezon, Caloocan, Pasig, Marikina, and Quezon City.

"Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) is used to determine the above-mentioned areas using centroid location of the identified affected barangays/municipality," explained Marasigan.

The temporary ban was deemed effective starting September 9. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS