The province of Ilocos Norte has intensified its efforts to protect the province from African swine fever (ASF) by requiring hogs and chicken suppliers to register with the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) here.

Provincial Board member Domingo Ambrocio, chair of the committee on agriculture of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said Wednesday the move is meant to keep the province protected from the highly infectious and contagious disease that has been affecting the hog industry since it entered the country in August 2019.

As one of the three remaining provinces in mainland Luzon that is free from the viral disease, Ambrocio said there is a need to implement more stringent measures and help stabilize exorbitant pork prices.

“Viajeros (traders) and their partner buyers shall be both responsible for anything related to each and every hog shipment. Both partner and viajero, when found in violation of any or part of the ordinance, or any guidelines and protocols both nationally and locally-issued orders, shall be barred and banned from doing any future business in the province in so far as hog trading is concerned,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PVO who is tasked to register and accredit traders will conduct seminars on biosecurity and animal welfare and provide the necessary documents needed for the transport of hogs.

The accredited traders shall be issued IDs that are coded and with identifying marks to avoid scrupulous and fictitious accreditation.

Before entering the province, traders’ truck should first undergo washing from a legitimate operator located before the provincial border.

To date, Provincial veterinarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela assured there is enough pork supply in the province and their major concern for now is the transport of hogs to augment the high demand from other provinces.

On Feb. 1, President Rodrigo Duterte has imposed a price ceiling for 60 days on pork and chicken products in the National Capital Region.

The ASF outbreak in various parts of the country has significantly affected the supply and prices of pork and chicken in the market.

In Ilocos Norte, farm-gate price of hogs remained at PHP130 per kilo. (PNA)