TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Governor Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado signed Executive Order No. 28 on July 3, 2026, temporarily banning all live pigs, pork, and pork products from Negros Island. The 60‑day prohibition aims to keep African Swine Fever from devastating the province’s multi‑billion‑peso livestock sector and the livelihoods it supports.
A Defensive Wall Around the Island
The order covers every possible entry point, from major commercial seaports and municipal fish ports to private wharves, beaches, and river mouths. Authorities are particularly vigilant about remote coastal areas where smugglers might attempt to land infected animals undetected. The total ban leaves no room for exceptions, applying equally to fresh pork, processed meats, and other swine‑derived goods.
Enforcement is a multi‑agency operation. The Philippine Coast Guard stations in Western and Eastern Bohol have stepped up maritime patrols, while the Philippine National Police Maritime Group leads law enforcement against illegal shipments. The Department of Agriculture Region 7 provides technical support, ensuring that the science behind the ban is sound and that market supply remains stable.
ASF Threat Sparks Swift Action
The ban responds directly to a surge of African Swine Fever cases in both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, where over 2,000 hogs have died across 13 local governments. Bohol, which remains free of the virus, is determined to protect that status. Governor Aumentado stressed the need for collective vigilance, urging Boholanos to follow the rules for the common good.
Dr. Meydallyn Paman, officer‑in‑charge of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, outlined the biological risks during a Capitol Reports broadcast. She explained that even a single infected shipment could trigger an outbreak capable of wiping out entire backyard farms. The province’s ASF Inter‑Agency Task Force has activated quarantine checkpoints and is conducting sample collections to monitor any suspicious animal deaths.
A United Front Across the Visayas
Bohol’s move is part of a broader regional push to contain the disease. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro issued a parallel 45‑day ban on July 7, and authorities there have already turned back 42 live pigs at a Dumanjug port. Negros Oriental has also restricted incoming swine products from its neighboring province, creating a coordinated biosecurity net across central Philippines.
The collaboration extends to the enforcement agencies. LTJG Babe Jocelie B. Isaga, commander of Coast Guard Station Western Bohol, acknowledged the challenge of patrolling a long coastline but emphasized that localized intelligence networks are being used to monitor suspicious activity. PCPT Celso I. Flores Jr. of the PNP Maritime Group confirmed that officers are conducting round‑the‑clock inspections.
Safeguarding Farmers and Food Security
The ban is fundamentally an economic shield. Bohol’s hog industry supports thousands of smallholder farmers and backyard raisers whose income depends entirely on healthy animals. A single outbreak would not only kill livestock but also trigger price spikes and supply shortages for consumers. By acting preemptively, the province is buying time and protecting both producers and the dining table.
Dr. Zeam Voltaire E. Amper, livestock coordinator at DA Region 7, noted that the government is monitoring market supply to prevent profiteering. He assured the public that alternative protein sources remain available while the ban is in effect. The temporary nature of the order allows for a science‑based extension or lifting depending on field data.
Cooperation and Vigilance
Coastal communities are being recruited as the province’s eyes and ears, with barangay leaders asked to report any unfamiliar boats attempting to unload swine cargo. The approach blends formal enforcement with grassroots participation, a strategy that has proven effective in past biosecurity campaigns. Governor Aumentado reiterated his appeal for full compliance, reminding residents that the ban serves the collective interest of all Boholanos.
