The City Government of Malaybalay has declared temporary total ban on the entry of live hogs, pork and pork by-products through an Executive Order (EO) No. 74, series of 2020, following the confirmation of African Swine Fever (ASF) presence in Mindanao particularly at Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental on February 2, 2020.

City Mayor Florencio T. Flores Jr., then formed a special task force directing them to address the need to implement quick response and action in animal disease control and emergencies, pursuant to EO No. 73 on February 11, 2020.

In a meeting of the task force held at City Hall on March 6, 2020, the City Veterinary Office together with the City Agriculture Office are closely monitoring the half-billion swine industry of the City. This includes 2,898 households engaged in backyard swine raising and 27 commercial piggeries.

Dr. Michele Miquiabas, city veterinarian and co-chairperson of the city task force on infectious and contagious animal diseases said that we are ASF-Free City for now. However, the veterinarian head emphasized that we should undertake stringent measures to safeguard the swine industry as well as to protect the general public from the ill effects of ASF.

Asked about the rumors circulating in social media about ASF case in Barangay Bangcud, Dr. Miquiabas debunked the issue after the laboratory tested it negative.

Northern Mindanao is the third largest producer of pork products in the entire country. Economic losses will be felt if this region will be affected by ASF.

Miquiabas added that in the coming days, strategic checkpoints will be installed to strictly impose the prevention and control, based on the executive order and in support of the earlier mandate from the Province of Bukidnon. He added that Malaybalay is considered one of the localities as last line of defense of this threat.