INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday reminded local government units there is no total ban on the transportation of processed meat products amid the African swine fever scare.
In an interview over dzMM, Año said he has issued a directive to LGUs that processed meats duly certified and approved by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) can still be transported to the provinces.
Año made the clarification amid complaints from the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (Pampi) that its members have been having a difficult time delivering goods to some provinces in the onset of the Christmas season since more LGUs have banned the entry of pork products.
Pampi said at least 55 provinces in Northern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao have either imposed a conditional or total ban, which have made it also hard for delivery transports from passing through to get to provinces without any ban.
“Nagpalabas na din ako ng kautusan sa mga LGUs na iyon ay hindi kasama, ‘yung processed meat, lalo na kapag may mga FDA certification, approval. Hindi kasama ‘yan like kunwari mga canned goods, hindi kasama ‘yan kasi na-certify na ‘yan na safe ‘yan. Ang raw meat ang ating kina-quarantine (I have issued an order to our LGUs that processed meat products, like those which are canned, especially those approved and certified by the FDA, as safe and are not included in the ban. What we quarantine are raw meats),” Año said.
