CEBU CITY – Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is weighing in on the proposed total ban on the entry of pork and pork-related products from Luzon following the recent confirmation of African Swine Fever cases in Bulacan and Rizal.
The total ban was suggested by the Central Visayas Pork Producers Cooperative through its president Rolando Tambago during an emergency meeting called by Garcia Tuesday.
Tambago said the measure could help protect Cebu’s P10.98-billion hog industry, which is the fourth largest in the country.
“This virus can spread so fast and if there are no legal implications or impact on other industries, then we would recommend the banning of products from Luzon coming to Cebu,” he said.
Garcia said she will study the suggestion very carefully and that is talking to Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap who is also considering implementing the measure.
“I will have to study these very carefully. I will be talking with Gov. Arthur Yap of Bohol. We will need to decide on the request of the industry because there is a possibility that Regions 3 and 4-A may already be infected,” Garcia said.
Provincial board member Glenn Anthony Soco, who heads several committees related to commerce and development, expressed his reservations about the ban, saying it would be challenging given that Cebu is a transshipment center.
“We have a lot of companies who rely on other sources (imported) and I already expressed worry and possible impacts of the total ban. That might have serious economic effect,” he said.
Garcia asked for time to study the measure. “We also have to weigh this against other industries or businesses. But rest assured, I will decide,” she said.
In the meantime, she asked key agencies especially those manning the ports of Cebu to double their vigilance and also asked CeViPPCo to help monitor arriving passengers in the airport. (Calvin Cordova)