MALUNGON, Sarangani, May 18- Authorities have confiscated and destroyed over two tons of African Swine Fever (ASF)-suspected processed pork-based products in the town of Malungon, Sarangani on Friday, May 15.
Dr. John Pascual, chief of the Regulatory Division of the Department of Agriculture 12 (DA 12) said that a delivery van containing pork-based items arrived on Thursday in Barangay Malungon Gamay at 8:35 in the evening from Davao City, an ASF-affected region.
Dr. Pascual further said that the disposal team decided to immediately destroy the seized meat products due to possible ASF contamination.
The official explained that transport of the said products violated Sarangani's Executive Order Number 1 series of 2020 issued last February by Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon.
Stipulated in the EO is the temporary ban on the transport of live hogs, pork and pork- related food products to Sarangani and coming from areas of concern and/or coming from ASF-affected areas such as the provinces of Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental bordering the municipalities of Malungon, Alabel, Malapatan and Glan.
The products which weighed 2,197.5 kilos valued at around PhP80,000 were owned by a businessman from Koronadal City and were set to be delivered to various places in Region 12 such as in Surallah, South Cotabato and in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.
DA 12 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen has lauded the efforts of the concerned agencies and authorities in strictly manning the checkpoints and intercepting these ASF-infected products. He also assured the public that the agency will continuously intensify its precautionary measures against ASF in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.
"We are implementing all necessary precautionary measures in coordination with the LGUs to make sure that we do not provide open space for possible entry of ASF in Region 12," Director Mangelen said.
The disposal team was composed of personnel from the DA 12, National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) 12, Provincial Veterinary Office of Sarangani, Agricultural Program Coordinating Office of Sarangani, Malungon municipal police station and the municipal government of Malungon.
In the meantime, NMIS 12 said the entry of pork products to the area remains prohibited as they could be potential carriers of the ASF.
The agency also reported that authorities have gathered pieces of evidence that the people carrying these prohibited items are also supplying some online sellers in the region. (JGAquino/RAFIS)
