AFRICAN SWINE FEVER. National Meat Inspection Service officials conduct surveillance activities at a public market in Mandaue City on March 24, 2023. Mandaue City and 11 areas in Cebu province, including Cebu City, have tested positive for the African swine fever virus. (Photo courtesy of NMIS-7)
CEBU CITY – The supply of pork and pork-related products in Cebu City’s markets is stable despite the African swine fever (ASF) virus infection in 12 localities in the province, a local lawmaker here said Friday.
Cebu City Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr., chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, said the city government has noted a steady supply of pigs for slaughter coming from large-scale farms in the southern municipalities of San Fernando, Pinamungajan, and Dumanjug.
“The prices are also stable this week because we have a steady supply in the market. Thanks to the big farms from the south that can transport pigs with a veterinary certificate,” Alcover told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview.
The price of pork chop ranges from PHP300 to 320 per kg.; pork loin, PHP320; thigh front, PHP250; and thigh rear, from PHP160 to PHP230 per kg.
Lechon or roasted pork traders, however, have been complaining as the backyard-raised breeds of pigs for roasting have become scarce, he said.
Most of the supply comes from Negros Island affected by border restrictions.
Alcover’s report came as the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) reported on Thursday that the ASF infection has increased to 12 areas in Cebu province, from six as reported on March 20.
According to the agency, ASF is now present in the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay and the towns of Minglanilla, San Fernando, and Cordova.
The ASF was first detected in a slaughterhouse in Carcar City after testing hogs from Negros.
However, BAI added later the cities of Cebu, and Bogo as well as the towns of Liloan, Sibonga, and Tuburan.
The BAI implemented culling in more than a hundred pigs in Carcar City but Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ordered to stop the destruction of live hogs within a 500-meter radius, citing its effect on hog raisers’ livelihood.
On Wednesday, Garcia sued officials of the BAI and the Department of Agriculture over the culling policy. (PNA)
