Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Municipal Government of Bontoc has temporarily banned the entry, sale, purchase, and transport of live hogs and pork products from neighboring Sagada following reports of an unidentified swine disease that has sickened and killed pigs in several barangays of the municipality.
In an official advisory posted on the Omag Bontoc Facebook page, the local government said the precautionary measure was implemented through Executive Order No. 43, Series of 2026, to protect Bontoc's local swine industry and safeguard the municipality's food security.
Under the order, the temporary ban covers the purchase, sale, transport, and entry of all live hogs and pork products originating from Sagada until authorities declare the situation safe.
"To protect our local swine industry and ensure food security, the Municipality of Bontoc has issued Executive Order No. 43, Series of 2026, effective immediately. It temporarily prohibits the purchase, sale, transport, and entry of live hogs and pork products from the Municipality of Sagada into the Municipality of Bontoc," the advisory stated.
The order was issued even after initial rapid tests for African Swine Fever (ASF) returned negative results on samples collected from the affected pigs. Authorities, however, stressed that the exact cause of the disease has yet to be identified, prompting neighboring local government units to strengthen biosecurity measures to prevent its possible spread.
According to the Municipal Government of Sagada, the unidentified disease has affected pigs in at least three barangays, resulting in several cases of illness and mortality.
Despite the negative ASF test results, authorities said one sample remains under further laboratory examination to determine the exact cause of the outbreak.
Officials also urged market vendors, meat traders, transport operators, livestock raisers, and the general public to strictly comply with the temporary ban while veterinary and health authorities continue monitoring the situation.
"We appeal to all market vendors, transport operators, and the general public for strict compliance to keep our community and livelihoods safe," the LGU of Omag Bontoc said.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Sagada has likewise strengthened its disease-control measures by temporarily restricting the movement of live hogs and pork products within affected areas. It has also tightened the entry of pork products from outside the municipality by requiring veterinary health certificates and other necessary documents as part of its biosecurity protocols.
As of this writing, the Municipality of Bontoc has yet to announce the lifting of the temporary ban as investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the swine disease.
ASF cases in the Cordillera
According to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the Cordillera Administrative Region recorded four African Swine Fever (ASF) cases as of July 10, 2026—one each in Natonin, Mountain Province; Baguio City; La Trinidad, Benguet; and Hungduan, Ifugao.
This marks an increase from December 2025, when only one ASF case had been recorded in Itogon, Benguet.
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