Cebu bans hog export for 6 months

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has banned the transport of live hogs and sows out of the province for six months to prevent pork prices from rising.

The ban aims to protect Cebu's PHP11-billion hog industry, which is facing a shortage due to African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in Luzon.

Garcia cited an urgent need to regulate exports to ensure adequate local supply and control price increases.

Despite the Department of Interior and Local Government's directive against impeding cargo flow across LGU boundaries, Garcia invoked the general welfare clause to justify her order.