BUCAY, Abra – It’s business as usual for lechoneros or pig roasters in in the town of Bucay in Abra despite the temporary ban on the entry of swine and pork products because of African Swine Fever (ASF).

Lechon de Bucay owner Nap Bersalona shared that they were able to cater to over a hundred orders during the holiday season.

“Overwhelming met ti order tatta ta season na kasi innaldaw met tatta. Haan met nga maawan ti order innaldaw, halos tuloy-tuloy [Orders are overwhelming this season. Everyday we receive orders and they continuously come],” he said.

The municipality has implemented the ban since November. However, business establishments were still allowed to ship pork by-products like lechon and chicharon within 30 minutes after being cooked in 70 degrees Celsius heat.

Bersalona shared that with the many orders especially during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, pork supply was a challenge with the restrictions.

“Mabalin kami makaruar ti baboy ngem haan kami makaserek sunga agkurang kami ti baboy nga letsonin ngem medyo kaya pay lang [We can bring  out  hogs, but we cannot  bring in  that is why there  is scarcity of pigs for lechon but it is still manageable],” he said.

The municipality of Bucay enforced the temporary ban to mitigate the effects of an ASF outbreak that hit Barangay Pakiling. The order also aims to help protect the livelihood of swine raisers against the disease.

The municipal government created a task force and set up animal quarantine checkpoints to help the Municipal Agriculture Office, the police, and barangay officials in the monitoring, surveillance, investigation, and implementation against the spread of ASF in the municipality and nearby areas.

Bersalona is thankful for the continuous patronage of their product and ensured that their lechon and other delicacies like pork blood stew and innards are safe and delicious. (JJPM-PIA Abra)