NO MORE PORK. The Dalipe Tradetown in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique has no available pork stocks for two days, starting Wednesday (Nov. 8, 2023). Municipal Economic Enterprise and Development Officer Darcy Bungay, in an interview, said the African swine fever resulted in the depletion of the hog inventory in their municipality. (Photo courtesy of Gali Magbanua)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Vendors at the Dalipe Tradetown in this capital town of Antique province have ran out of pork supply, a concern attributed to the depletion of hog inventory due to the contagious African swine fever (ASF).
The meat vendors met with Municipal Economic Enterprise and Development Office (MEEDO) chief Darcy Bungay on Tuesday, informing him that they have no supply available on Nov. 8-9.
“There are 22 meat vendors at the trade town having no available pork supply,” he said in an interview on Wednesday.
Their only local supplier temporarily stopped providing them with pork.
The ASF affected around 270 swine raisers here since the detection of the first four confirmed cases last June 29.
“I have sent MEEDO personnel Wednesday to find out in other towns if they still have liveweight for the meat vendors at the trade town,” he said.
The Municipal Price Coordinating Council, chaired by Mayor Elmer Untaran, will meet on Thursday to tackle possible solutions, especially in anticipation of the increasing demand for pork this Christmas season.
In addition to sourcing pork from nearby provinces, they are considering importing from other ASF-free countries.
“The vendors are also requesting if the provincial government can temporarily stop traders from transporting liveweight outside Antique to ensure enough pork supply for local consumers,” Bungay said.
Consumers, in the meantime, are advised to look for other alternative food sources such as beef, chicken and vegetables.
The municipality is still in a state of calamity due to the ASF. (PNA)
