Due to ASF presence
TACLOBAN CITY– A 15-day ‘pork holiday’ was declared by the city government in Borongan, Eastern Samar following the confirmation of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the city.
Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda issued an executive order on Thursday, April 3, declaring a pork holiday beginning Friday, April 4, to April 18 as a preventive measure against further spread of the ASF Borongan.
The order suspends the slaughter and sale of pork products within the period.
“ASF poses a significant threat to the local hog industry, affecting not only livestock but also the economic stability of small-scale hog raisers, meat vendors, and other industry stakeholders,” Agda’s order said.
“Whereas, as a necessary biosecurity measure to mitigate the risk of ASF transmission, the temporary suspension of certain pork-related activities is recommended in consultation with the City Veterinary Office (CVO) and other relevant agencies,” the city mayor added on his order declaring a pork holiday.
The regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed the ASF cases in a letter dated March 28, 2025, stating that samples from a piggery farm owned by Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Barangay Maypangdan tested positive for the virus.
Among the restrictions during the pork holiday include the slaughtering and sale of fresh pork except for personal consumption; pork-based processed products (such as pork chorizo and longganisa) are banned; frozen pork sales are allowed only with proper certification from meat inspectors and must come from ASF-free areas; mandatory disinfection of all piggery farms; and inter-barangay transport of live pigs is strictly prohibited.
Based on the order of Mayor Agda, the CVO, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other agencies, were tasked to strictly monitor compliance with the order.
Violators will face confiscation of unauthorized pork products; fines and penalties under Republic Act No. 10536, that amended the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 9296) which ranges from P100,000 up to P1 million and imprisonment of up to 12 years; and suspension or revocation of business permits for establishments found violating the order.
The Borongan City slaughterhouse will also implement an “All In, All Out” policy to prevent further ASF contamination.
Mayor Agda assured the public that these measures are necessary to protect the local hog industry, small-scale raisers, and market vendors from the devastating impact of ASF.
JOEY A. GABIETA, ROEL T. AMAZONA
