Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has ordered stricter inspections and documentation checks for shipments of live hogs, pork and pork products entering the province to prevent the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
Under Executive Order No. 55, series of 2026, signed on Oct. 26, concerned agencies and local government units (LGUs) must enforce existing quarantine rules and ensure incoming shipments meet veterinary and food safety requirements.
The order comes amid continuing ASF outbreaks in Negros Island and other parts of the country, raising concerns over the possible entry of infected pigs and contaminated pork products into Cebu.
The province’s hog industry is valued at about P20 billion, making disease prevention critical to farmers and businesses involved in meat production, distribution and retail.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs that can cause heavy losses for hog raisers, restrict animal movement and disrupt pork supplies.
Under the order, shipments must carry the required permits and veterinary certifications before authorities can clear them for entry.
These include a valid shipping permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry’s National or Regional Veterinary Quarantine Service and a veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and concurred in by the provincial veterinarian of the place of origin.
Shipments must also have laboratory results showing negative ASF findings through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing.
Pork sourced from establishments accredited by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) must carry the applicable Meat Inspection Certificate or Certificate of Meat Inspection.
All shipments must pass through designated official ports with veterinary quarantine officers, who will examine documents and inspect animals or products before authorizing onward transport.
Transport vehicles must have disinfection certificates issued by the Regional Veterinary Quarantine Service, while livestock handlers must secure the necessary permit from the Department of Agriculture.
Pork products must also comply with applicable Food and Drug Administration requirements, including a License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration.
The order imposes additional restrictions on live hogs entering Cebu. Animals must be delivered directly to an NMIS-licensed and accredited slaughterhouse identified in the shipment documents and designated for lechon preparation.
The hogs cannot be kept for breeding or resale and must be transported directly to the declared slaughterhouse to limit their movement and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Authorities may confiscate and forfeit shipments or return them to their place of origin if they lack complete documentation, fail to identify an NMIS-accredited slaughterhouse or bypass designated quarantine seaports.
The local chief executive of the city or municipality where a shipment is intercepted will determine its disposition in coordination with the Regional Veterinary Quarantine Service.
The order also calls for continued farm-level biosecurity measures, including restricting access to pig farms, disinfecting vehicles and equipment, cleaning footwear and controlling animal movement.
Component LGUs, the Cebu Port Authority, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police are tasked with helping enforce the requirements at seaports, airports and land-based checkpoints.
The provincial government said its surveillance and laboratory testing efforts had helped secure Recognition of Active Surveillance on African Swine Fever (RAS-ASF) from the Bureau of Animal Industry for 24 LGUs, following validation by the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
Other local governments are undergoing surveillance and evaluation for possible recognition.
The provincial government also reported that an isolated ASF case detected in a southern Cebu LGU was promptly contained.
The order directs LGUs to sustain disease monitoring and testing in coordination with local veterinarians and agriculturists.
Barangay Animal Health Aides are also encouraged to report suspected infections.
Comments