San Fernando pork prices up; hearing held

By Joanne Namnama P. Dilim

SAN FERNANDO CITY – City officials here noted sharp increase of pork prices making the city government hold a public consultation with key players here Feb. 1 to address the problem.
    Dr. Flosie Decena, city veterinarian, said most pork sold at the market are sourced from other provinces: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and Tarlac because no supply of pork is available from hog raisers in the city.
    “Karamihan sa mga karneng baboy na ibinebenta ngayon sa city public market ay mula pa sa malalayong lugar at ito ang dahilan sa pagtaas ng presyo dahil sa mataas na transportation cost,” she said.
    Since last year, the whole province of La Union was put under red code status because of ASF which hugely affected the livelihood of local hog raisers to include 23 from this city.
    In a recent press briefing, officials from the city government, Provincial Government of La Union and Dept. of Agriculture confirmed price hike due to African Swine Fever (ASF).
    To address this concern, San Fernando City Mayor Hermenegildo Gualberto led the public consultation Feb. 1 at the Mayor’s Lobby.
     Representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, hog producers, distributors, vendors, and consumers will join.
     "Kailangan balansehin ang bawat parte ng isyu na ito upang masiguradong mula sa mga kapatid natin na hog raisers, vendors at mga konsumers ay nakikinabang sa bawat panukala na ating gagawin dito sa siyudad,” Gualberto said.