Gwen mulls suing animal industry bureau: ‘Cebu pork is safe’

Last updated Mar 24, 2023

Want more POLITIKO News? Get the latest newsfeed here. We publish dozens and dozens of politics-only news stories every hour. Click here to get to know more about your politiko - from trivial to crucial. it's our commitment to tell their stories. We follow your favorite POLITIKO like they are rockstars. If you are the politiko, always remember, your side is always our story. Read more. Find out more. Get the latest news here before it spreads on social media. Follow and bookmark this link. https://goo.gl/SvY8Kr

POLITIKO - The bible of Philippine Politics.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has threatened to sue the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) if they continue to implement their measures in managing the African swine fever situation in the province.

On Wednesday, Garcia said that they will not hesitate to file administrative charges “against any national official or employee” who refuses to coordinate with local governments in Cebu.

She made this statement following BAI’s pronouncement that the deadly swine disease had been detected in five more areas, in addition to Carcar City, where the first case of ASF was reported. (https://bit.ly/3yZSf4f)

Garcia also denied that the province is suffering an “ASF outbreak.”

“Our pork is safe. There is no outbreak. What in god’s name is a basis for an outbreak? To declare an ASF outbreak in Cebu is an irresponsible statement,” according to her.

Despite the Capitol’s opposition, the BAI recently said they will continue to implement anti-ASF measures and protocols because the methods are scientifically supported.

It should be noted that the provincial government opted against several biosecurity measures, such as pig culling and random testing, as well as border controls in transporting hogs, pork products, and byproducts, that the national government implemented in 2019 as part of its response to ASF.