On pork, tourism and climate change

THE really bad news from the Visayas last month was the confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) in the province of Iloilo. These are the first confirmed cases in Western Visayas since the first ASF outbreak was reported in the country in July 2019. The dreaded disease has so far been confirmed in five towns in Iloilo, Oton the hardest hit with outbreaks in 28 of its 37 barangay.

No cases have been reported on Negros Island and Central Visayas. Despite Cebu's being the center of commerce and travel in the region, Gov. Gwen Garcia's strict enforcement of the ban on entry of live hogs, pork and pork products from ASF-affected areas has prevented the disease from entering the island. Cebuanos' fondness for pork, especially lechon or roasted pig, is legendary. Where else than Cebu could lechon make news? Complaints against some lechon vendors in Carcar City who sold newly roasted meat mixed with "leftovers" went viral and got covered by local news media. Travelers usually stop in Carcar City to buy a few kilograms of lechon for their picnic or chicharon as pasalubong for family and friends.