Moalboal Restricts Outside Hogs, Pork Amid ASF Threat

The Moalboal Municipal Government has imposed a 30-day restriction on live hogs and pork products from outside the town as authorities strengthen measures against the possible spread of African swine fever (ASF).

The restriction was approved unanimously by the Municipal Council through Resolution 255-2026 on Sept. 7, 2026, and signed by Mayor Inocentes Cabaron.

Under the measure, hogs brought to the municipal slaughterhouse must be sourced from within Moalboal’s barangays. Butchers are required to present barangay certification establishing the animal’s local origin before the hog can be accepted for slaughter.

The move comes as Cebu continues to enforce measures against the entry of hogs and pork products from areas affected by ASF, particularly Negros Island, where outbreaks have prompted the depopulation of infected and exposed animals.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro earlier issued Executive Order 44 on Aug. 20, extending a 45-day provincial restriction on the entry of live hogs and pork products from Negros Island and other ASF-affected areas.

The disease threat remains a concern in neighboring Negros Oriental. The Provincial Veterinary Office reported that 539 pigs were depopulated in July and August as authorities worked to contain viral clusters.

The affected areas included Bayawan City, Tanjay City, Amlan, Siaton, Valencia, Zamboanguita and Pamplona. Reports also identified active cases in Bayawan City, Pamplona, Siaton and Valencia toward the latter part of August.

Moalboal’s local restrictions also come amid several reported attempts to transport hogs into Cebu without the required clearances.

In July, maritime authorities turned back a livestock vessel in Ronda and intercepted 42 hogs at Tangil Wharf in Dumanjug. The animals were returned to Negros.

In neighboring Badian, authorities seized 104 live hogs worth an estimated P520,000 on Aug. 13 after the animals arrived by motorized boat from Negros. The hogs were euthanized and buried as part of biosecurity measures.

Moalboal authorities also intercepted suspected smuggled hogs. Two piglets from Barangay Tuble were returned to Negros on Aug. 10.

On Sept. 1, police and Coast Guard personnel intercepted a truck in the same barangay carrying 60 live hogs. The shipment reportedly had no veterinary clearances, quarantine certificates, origin documents or transport permits.

The municipal resolution cites Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 and Republic Act 12308, or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, as legal bases for the local government’s authority to regulate animal movement and implement measures intended to prevent the spread of livestock diseases.

Council Member Marcelino Deniega seconded the resolution, which was sponsored by Presiding Officer Pro Tempore Virgilio Domugho during a session presided over by Vice Mayor Jinky Hanika.

Aside from regulating the movement of hogs, the resolution also addresses the possibility of a shortage in local pork supplies.

It directs municipal authorities and the Municipal Agriculture Office to identify and secure safe, compliant alternative meat sources if locally available hogs become insufficient to meet demand.

The local government is also requiring continued monitoring of animals brought to the slaughterhouse. Slaughterhouse personnel and local health units are tasked with documenting incoming hogs and checking transport vehicles in coordination with provincial and national agencies.

The 30-day restriction is part of the municipality’s effort to tighten controls over the movement of pork and live hogs amid continuing ASF concerns in areas surrounding Cebu.

Vice Mayor Hanika said the resolution is intended to cover towns within the province. However, municipal officials have yet to clarify whether pork shipments originating from chartered cities in Cebu will also be covered by the restriction.