In a move to enhance holiday festivities, Negros Oriental has broadened the range of Christmas hams and pork by-products available to its residents. The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) in the province announced that suppliers can now deliver these festive foods to the region, provided they adhere to specific regulations and obtain a certificate of acceptance from the Provincial Veterinary Office. This development comes after the relaxation of restrictions linked to the African swine fever (ASF). Dr. Alfonso Tundag, the BAI’s quarantine officer in Negros Oriental, emphasized that shipments from ASF-affected areas are permissible, but suppliers must first secure the necessary documentation from their origin and present it upon arrival. Non-compliance will lead to the seizure of the goods. Previously, only Virginia Food, Inc.’s Christmas ham from Cebu, an ASF-free zone, was permitted entry. Governor Manuel ‘Chaco’ Sagarbarria’s executive order earlier this year eased border controls, aiming to support local businesses and maintain a consistent supply of pork products during the holiday season.
