The City of Mati LGU has downgraded its temporary total lockdown against the African Swine Fever by now allowing entry of pork products for as long as they have not originated from Luzon and other ASF-affected areas.

In an Executive Order No. 30 Series of 2020, City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat amended Executive Order No. 20 by changing the coverage of the ban to only Luzon Island and other ASF-affected areas.

The downgrade came after the Provincial Veterinarian Office assured the City Government of Mati that they will be manning the checkpoints on a 24/7 basis at the entry and exit points of the province.

In a meeting by the Incident Management Team Tuesday morning, February 18, City Health Officer Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan said that traders have approached the Provincial Government who in turn asked City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat to reconsider the lockdown.

Catbagan said Mayor Michelle is amenable to the lifting of the temporary lockdown provided that the Provincial Government considers on strengthening the border bio-security surrounding Davao Oriental to ensure that ASF-infected products would not enter the province.

Catbagan said the IMT will come up with a contingency plan in the event ASF reaches the City of Mati. He admitted that despite the strict biosecurity measures, the high possibility of the dreaded swine disease hitting Mati City remains.

Mati City Veterinarian Services Office head Dr. Marites Erispe said they have also conducted several information drive in different barangays on how to monitor and prevent ASF.

Erispe revealed though that there were still attempts to smuggle pork products into the city through the barangays where there are no checkpoints. She said though that due to the strict implementation of the safety measures, they were able to stop the entry of the pork products.

Biosecurity checkpoints are still in place in Taguibo, Menzi, and Bilawan. (CIO MATI)