An alleged attempt to bring live hogs into the coastal town of Ronda has led to tighter border checks in Cebu Province, where a 45-day temporary ban on pork products from African swine fever (ASF)-affected areas remains in effect.
Attempted Smuggling Foiled
Ronda Public Information Officer Romil Jerusalem told SunStar Cebu on Wednesday, July 8, that one attempt was reported in a coastal area, but the vessel failed to dock after police warned it off. "In port of Ronda negative Sir! In one of the coastal areas there was an attempt but it was not able to dock and went back because it was warned off by the Ronda PNP," Jerusalem said. He added that no illegal activity was reported at the municipal port.
Small Ports Targeted
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, July 7, the Cebu Provincial Government said it received reports of unauthorized transport of hogs through small ports in Ronda, Santander, Dumanjug, and Tabuelan from ASF-hit areas in Negros and other parts of the Visayas. The reports indicated that the transport was being done late at night or early in the morning to bypass checkpoints.
Governor's Executive Order
Governor Pamela Baricuatro issued Executive Order 39 on Tuesday, July 7, after confirmed ASF cases were reported in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and La Libertad, Negros Oriental. The order temporarily bans the entry of live hogs, pork, and processed pork products from Negros Island and other ASF-hit areas. Baricuatro met with local hog raisers last week and warned those behind the alleged smuggling: "We need urgent action here. We will make an example of them."
Cebu's ASF-Free Status
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy said Cebu remains free of ASF. The temporary ban is a preventive measure to protect the province’s P20-billion hog industry from the virus. SunStar Cebu visited the Provincial Veterinary Office on Wednesday, July 8, but Vincoy was attending an event outside the Capitol.
Local Government Response
Santander Municipal Agriculturist Doris Cañete said no entry of hogs had been reported in the town’s ports. She noted that the Capitol advisory was meant to remind local government units with minor ports to tighten border controls. Under Executive Order 39, Santander is coordinating with enforcement agencies for surveillance and preventive operations. "We have furnished copies of the EO 39 ordered by the Governor to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)," Cañete said. The town has alerted its quarantine officer at Liloan Port to immediately turn back shipments from Negros and has tapped Bantay Dagat to monitor small motorized boats.
SunStar Cebu reached out to the mayor’s offices of Dumanjug and Tabuelan for comment but had yet to receive a response as of press time.
Farm Protocols and Enforcement
The 45-day ban is designed to help Cebu maintain its ASF-free status. Executive Order 39 requires stakeholders to observe stricter biosecurity measures, including limiting farm access to essential personnel and disinfecting vehicles, equipment, and footwear used in farm operations. Hog raisers must also comply with animal-movement rules. The Cebu Port Authority, PCG, PNP, and local government units have been directed to confiscate prohibited shipments at entry points. The order took effect immediately and may be revised or extended depending on the ASF situation.
