QC LGU ORDERS TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF 14 LECHON STALLS IN LA LOMA DUE TO ASF

THE Quezon City government issued temporary closure orders against 14 lechon stores in La Loma after some pigs in the area tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF). 

In a statement Thursday, the city government said that ASF was  discovered during the regular monitoring of food establishments conducted by the City Veterinary Department (CVD) and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on Wednesday.

“Natuklasan na may mga baboy na nagpositibo sa African Swine Fever (ASF) kaya’t inirekomenda na isailalim sa culling ang mga baboy upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit,” the statement read.

The QC Business Permits and Licensing Department issued the Temporary Closure Orders on Wednesday night  based on the recommendation of the BAI, CVD, and the City Health Department.

The city government assured the public that the ASF is isolated to the area, and poses no threat to other markets in the city. It also noted that the virus is not transmissible to humans. 

“Nagsimula na ang proseso ng disinfection sa mga apektadong lugar sa La Loma. Nagtalaga din ng checkpoints ang lokal na pamahalaan upang kontrolin ang paggalaw ng mga baboy mula at papasok sa La Loma,” it said.

The city government said a dialogue was also held with the affected business owners on Thursday to discuss health, safety, and operational concerns.

“Tinutulungan na ng lokal na pamahalaan ang mga negosyante para matiyak na susunod sa health and safety protocols ang mga lechonan nang muli silang makapag-alok ng de-kalidad na pagkain sa publiko,” the city government added.