• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that he will consult the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) on a possible agreement with the province of Cebu on the selling of hogs.
This was after Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria and Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia agreed to sign on a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the delivery and distribution of hogs between their territories.
The MOA that will be signed in the next few days by both provinces would stipulate identical protocols and be stringent on biosecurity measures in facilitating the mobility of hogs and related products into their respective territories, by lifting the ban on hogs.
Lacson believes that if Cebu and Negros Oriental open up, Negros Occidental will also open up.
The provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Cebu have recently been hit with African Swine Fever (ASF) cases.
Lacson said that the provincial government of Negros Occidental religiously follows the protocols on biosecurity laid down by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
“This has resulted in the decrease of hog deaths in the province in the past weeks,” he pointed out.
From 400 a day, hog deaths have gone down to less than 150 a day and the local government unit and barangay have experienced no new hog deaths in recent days, Lacson said.
“We’re doing something correct. Regardless of the cause of death, we are following protocols,” he further said.
Lacson said he will address the situation “in a manner we think is best for the province.”*
