ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- This city has been declared free from the African Swine Fever (ASF) after over a year since the hog disease affected the pork industry in the metro.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, on Wednesday, April 3, issued Executive Order No. 049 series 2024, declaring the city's freedom from ASF, noting that Department of Agriculture (DA) regional director Dennis Arpia gave green light to the city government to proceed with its declaration.

In a letter dated March 15, Arpia cited that the documents submitted by the city government for the local declaration of "ASF-free" were found in compliance with Sections 4.1 to 4.2 of the DA Administrative Order No. 30 Series of 2021 or the "Guidelines for the Recovery and Declaration of Freedom from African Swine Fever (ASF) for Local Government Units (LGU).

progressing from its current pink zone to yellow to light and dark green for total ASF-free status.

Meanwhile, Treñas recently said the city has already opened its borders to hogs and pork products from other areas.

The declaration, according to the mayor, would also allow city hog raisers to gradually start their repopulation, which would eventually lower the prices of pork in the market.

He added that the city is looking forward to the availability of the vaccine against ASF.

City Veterinarian Dr. Fernando J. Abulencia, on the other hand, said that the milestone is a testament to the city government's dedication to prioritizing food safety, public health, and local economy, stressing that they will continue to strictly monitor and conduct surveillance in the metro, which only has backyard hog raisers.

"We extend our gratitude to all barangay officials who have been instrumental partners in closely monitoring the situation and preventing further ASF infections. This success story is a shining example of what can be accomplished through cooperation and collective effort,” Abulencia said. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)