Balbalan temporarily bans live pigs, pork products from Tabuk



Balbalan, Kalinga – The Balbalan municipal government is temporarily banning the entry of live hogs and pork products from Tabuk City, which recently logged confirmed case of African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious and deadly swine disease.

To recall, Balbalan Mayor Almar Malannag had a talk with Provincial Veterinarian of Abra, Dr. Jomar Sales regarding the Abra swine traders passing through ASF checkpoints in town without ASF clearance.

The swine traders argued they should not be apprehended by personnel manning the Balbalan ASF checkpoint as they were merely passing through, going to Tabuk public market. The mayor, however, expressed concern that the pigs or pork products may be bought by his constituents which might cause the spread of the viral disease within the locality.

According to Sales, checkpoints may apprehend those traders without showing necessary documents because this would mean that they did not undergo the test being carried out by his office.

Last week, Tabuk reported suspected ASF infection in barangays Dagupan Weste, New Tanglag, Bulanao Centro, Bulo, Ipil, Gobgob, Naneng, Bagumbayan, Cabaruan, and San Juan.

In an advisory dated Oct. 11, Mayor Malannag imposed a total ban on entry of live hogs, pork, and pork-related products from Tabuk, considering that the city “has confirmed positive case” of ASF.

“As a precautionary measure, all entry of live hogs, pork, and pork products is temporarily banned for there might be other positive ASF cases unmonitored in other municipalities or areas within the province of Kalinga,” added the directive.

The order directed all meat vendors and all others concerned to coordinate with the Municipal Agriculture Office and the Provincial Veterinary Services Office.

In case of ‘shipping-in/buying live hogs, pork, and pork-based products from the said city, immediate confiscation and destruction will be implemented on all live hogs, pork-based products upon interception.’

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