Local officials and members of the hog raisers association hosted on Tuesday a “lechon” (roasted pig) festival in Barangay San Roque to show that pork products sold in the local markets are safe to eat.

Mayor Enrico Roque, together with Governor Daniel R. Fernando, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary for Peace and Order Manuel B. Felix and other government officials led a lechon boodle fight to show that eating pork in this town is safe as the locality is free from the African swine fever (ASF).

Some 4,000 residents also partook of 120 roasted pigs given by local hog raisers here.

Roque told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that there are swine from Corpus Farm in Barangay Baka-Bakahan that have been tested positive for the ASF virus by the Department of Agriculture.

He, however, assured consumers that the ASF case in this town is an isolated one.

“Pork products from our commercial and backyard raisers are safe to eat,” Roque said.

Livestock Raisers of Pandi president Mercy Zhiu said all pigs in this town are safe for consumption.

“We have a weekly blood test for our swine because without a blood test you will not be given a shipping permit. Do not believe what you heard on television news which is too much. What happened in Barangay Baka-Bakahan is an isolated case. Just one farm in one out of 22 barangays was affected by ASF,” Zhiu said.

Meanwhile, Fernando said the 1-7-10 quarantine protocol of the DA is strictly implemented in several towns in Bulacan.

“I ordered concerned departments in the provincial government to conduct a non-stop monitoring activity regarding the ASF virus,” Fernando said.

Before the boodle fight, Roque reported on his first 100 days in office and enumerated his future projects for the people of Pandi.

He said his accomplishments mostly focused on his 10-point agenda program that includes health, poverty alleviation, infrastructure, agriculture, solid waste management, transportation, traffic management, environment, strengthening of sectoral groups, and peace and order. (PNA)