SOME 2,000 live pigs from South Cotabato had just arrived, says a top Palace official, who hinted the delivery as essential in addressing pork supply in Metro Manila.
“Dumating po ang 2,000 baboy galing sa South Cotabato at ito ngayon ay nasa Vitas, Tondo,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised interview aired over the government-owned television station.
“Ito ay ipaparating sa iba’t-ibang mga palengke sa Metro Manila, kabahagi po ito sa ating mga hakbang na ginagawa para maibsan ang kakulangan ng baboy sa Metro Manila nang sa ganun ay bumaba ang presyo ng baboy, at [saka at] least umabot sa price cap na si-net ng ating gobyerno,” Roque added.
The government opted to intervene with the increasing pork prices stemming from low pork supply by setting a price cap on its market price, resulting from the death of some four million pigs in the wake of an onslaught of the African swine fever (ASF).
However, pork vendors and retailers opted to go on a pork holiday, citing difficulties to comply with the price cap due to lack of resources and fear of getting bankrupt.
Roque also assured the public that the pork supply woes are temporary since more pigs are underway.
“Patuloy naman po ang pag-aangkat natin ng baboy sa mga lugar na walang ASF dito sa Luzon at pati na rin po sa mga lugar diyan sa Visayas at sa Mindanao. At kung hindi pa nga po ito sapat ay handa naman tayo mag-angkat ng baboy galing sa abroad,” Roque said.
“Sa tingin ko naman, ito naman po ay panandalian lamang dahil ang katotohanan po e nasalanta talaga, naubos ang suplay ng baboy lalung lalo na sa Luzon dahil nga po sa ASF,” he added.
Roque also said a week ago that the procurement for the ASF vaccine has been sidelined since the government’s priority now is to buy COVID-19 vaccines.