Following the recent African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in the Philippines, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro issued a temporary total ban of entry of hogs and all pork products in the City per Executive Order No. 169, s.2019. In view thereof, the Port of Cagayan de Oro, as one of the entry and exit points of Cagayan de Oro and the Misamis Oriental Province, is also set to implement the total banning of said products from entering and leaving the Port.

Since the onset of the said outbreak, the Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro (PMO MO/C) has already tightened its quarantine checks and security screening in the Ports under its jurisdiction to crack down on smuggling of meat products to prevent the ASF from spreading further. Notably, the PMO’s Port Police Division reported about the interception and confiscation of processed meat products at CDO Port on 27 September 2019. The meat products shipped from Manila, Batangas, and Cebu were found to be negative of ASF and other viral infections; but the same was still confiscated due to improper packing and labeling and its shipment was not covered with permits and other clearances. Personnel from the Veterinary Quarantine Services led the treatment, dumping, and burying of the confiscated processed meat products and was witnessed by the PMO MO/C’s Port Police.

The Port Police Division is yet to issue a Port Advisory/Bulletin/Announcement (PABA) relative to safety and security measures of the CDO Port against the ASF outbreak. The PMO calls for the cooperation and understanding of all seaport passengers and port users on this national concern. —IMR Lam