Local officials & residents feasted on at least 10 roasted pigs and other pork dishes on Wednesday to prove that local meat products are safe from diseases, especially the dreaded African swine fever (ASF).

Mayor Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica and her husband, Bulacan 4th District Rep. Henry Villarica, led a boodle fight at the Meycauayan Convention Center here joined by some 1,000 people composed of other city officials, members of the hog raisers association, meat traders, traffic enforcers, students and other local residents.

City Veterinary Office (CVO) head Imelda Arguelles said amid the reported ASF cases in the province, Meycauayan City is still free from the virus.

“People should not be afraid of eating pork and other meat products because the deadly pig disease like the ASF does not have any harmful effect on human beings. Even chickens, dogs or cats will not be affected by this kind of virus,” Arguelles said.

She also said her team is constantly coordinating with hog raisers to ensure that the government’s bio-security protocol is being followed.

The mayor said the boodle fight was held “to prove to the public that pork coming from our market is safe to eat and also to show the solidarity of our market vendors.”

She issued an executive order that bans swill feeding and the creation of a task force on ASF to promote public health and safety in the city.

“The inspection of incoming swine delivery is very strict and the requirements such as veterinary health certificate, veterinary shipping permit, negative ASF test result, livestock handlers license, and transporter carrier license must always be presented,” Villarica said.

She said they are closely coordinating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agriculture to ensure that no meat from other countries and provinces with ASF cases would enter the city. (PNA)