Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro signed Executive Order 36, Series of 2026, on June 24, 2026, mandating strict African Swine Fever (ASF) surveillance and biosecurity protocols across the province. While Cebu remains ASF-free according to the Department of Agriculture, the order establishes emergency task forces and tightened border controls to protect the province’s P20 billion hog industry from outbreaks in neighboring regions like Negros Occidental.
What the new executive order mandates
The directive requires all local government units and national agencies in Cebu to activate ASF Task Forces immediately. These groups are tasked with increasing surveillance and ensuring a rapid response to any suspected cases of the disease.
Under the order, border inspections are now subject to stricter protocols. Shipments of live hogs, pork, and processed pork products must provide complete veterinary health certificates, meat inspection documents, and negative laboratory test results to enter the province. Authorities have been directed to deploy additional personnel for random inspections, specifically during night operations when livestock shipments frequently arrive.
Did You Know? The provincial government has implemented a temporary 45-day restriction on pass-through vehicles and livestock carriers arriving from ASF-affected areas, a measure that may be extended depending on the status of the regional outbreak.
Why these measures are being taken
The provincial government is focusing on prevention because the local hog industry is valued at approximately P20 billion. Protecting the livelihoods of thousands of hog raisers is a primary driver for the policy, according to the executive order.
This proactive stance follows confirmed reports of ASF in San Enrique, Negros Occidental, where more than 500 hogs died from the disease. While recent tests from the Department of Agriculture Regional Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory and the Bureau of Animal Industry have confirmed that Cebu remains free of the virus, the province is aiming to maintain this status through constant monitoring and farm-level biosecurity.
Expert Insight: The move to formalize these restrictions highlights the economic stakes for Cebu. By mandating both public-sector border controls and private-sector farm sanitation, the province is attempting to insulate its supply chain from the volatility seen in neighboring provinces, where outbreaks have already compromised local herds.
How the industry is reinforcing security
Industry leader Rolando Tambago, who leads Virginia Farms Inc. and chairs the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, launched a new breeder facility in Aloguinsan town designed with high-level biosecurity.
The facility features a three-layer fencing system, climate-controlled environments to deter external disease carriers, and strict sanitation protocols. The operation, which uses genetics sourced from South Dakota, is part of a phased expansion aiming for a 5,000-sow capacity. Tambago has stated that increasing local production is essential to stabilize the supply chain and reduce reliance on imports while maintaining food security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there currently an ASF outbreak in Cebu?
No. According to recent surveillance results from the Department of Agriculture Regional Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory and the Bureau of Animal Industry, Cebu remains ASF-free.
What are hog raisers required to do under the new order?
Hog raisers must maintain strict biosecurity practices, including the disinfection of facilities and equipment, the use of protective clothing, restricted farm access, the avoidance of swill feeding, and the immediate reporting of any unusual pig deaths.
How long will the restrictions on livestock carriers last?
A temporary restriction of up to 45 days has been imposed on pass-through vehicles and livestock carriers from affected areas, though the order notes this is subject to extension depending on the evolving outbreak situation.
How do you think these new biosecurity measures will impact local pork prices in the coming months?