Cebu eases anti-ASF controls for lechon production

CEBU CITY — The Cebu provincial government has allowed the shipment of live hogs intended for lechon production, subject to protocols and biosecurity requirements.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro issued Executive Order (EO) No. 55 on Oct. 26, allowing the entry of pigs intended for lechon production.

The policy allows lechon producers to source live hogs from outside Cebu, subject to government clearance, while retaining restrictions intended to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF).

The EO emphasized that pigs must be intended for immediate slaughter at accredited facilities in Cebu, provided that shipments comply with veterinary quarantine and animal health regulations.

“These hogs must not be kept for breeding or resale, but must go straight to the slaughterhouse as declared in their documents,” it added.

The order maintains strict restrictions on the entry of live hogs, pork and processed pork products, requiring shipments to comply with veterinary quarantine and biosecurity regulations.

All shipments must pass through official ports with veterinary quarantine personnel, who will inspect the animals or products and verify their accompanying documents before allowing entry, it added.

Required documents include valid shipping permits from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), veterinary health certificates, laboratory results showing negative ASF RT-PCR findings, and meat inspection certificates.

Transport vehicles must also have disinfection certificates, while shipments of live hogs must identify their intended slaughterhouse, which must be licensed and accredited by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).

“Shipments lacking complete documentation, failing to specify an NMIS-accredited slaughterhouse destination, or bypassing designated quarantine seaports shall be confiscated and deemed forfeited, or returned to their point of origin,” the order stated.

Last July, Baricuatro imposed a total ban on imported live hogs and pork products due to the reemergence of ASF cases in neighboring areas.

The order was initially set to last 45 days, but the governor extended it for another 45 days as infections spread to more provinces.

Despite these measures, ASF infections were detected in parts of Cebu, including Cebu City and Ginatilan town in southern Cebu. However, authorities said the cases have been contained.

Meanwhile, the Capitol instructed local government units to continue conducting surveillance, laboratory testing, and animal movement monitoring to detect possible infections early.

They are also required to pass or update local ASF prevention ordinances consistent with Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-12.

“The Province of Cebu will proactively protect its hog industry and maintain food security by strengthening biosecurity measures and strictly regulating the entry of live hogs, pork, and pork products,” the order stated. /mcm