CEBU CITY – The province of Cebu will have enough supply of pork even if the demand increases during the holiday season.
The ban on the entry of pork and pork-related products from several areas will also not affect the supply, assured Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy.
An indication that it has enough supply of pork, Cebu is supplying piglets for repopulation in African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected areas in Luzon, Vincoy said.
Cebu’s P11-billion pork industry is also supplying pork products to Manila.
Panay and Iloilo also get some of their supply of pork products and piglets from Cebu, Vincoy said.
Aside from local pork producers, the province is also banking on meat importers and meat processing companies which will ensure that the demand for hams and ‘’lechon’’ (roasted pig) for Christmas will not be a problem.
“The importers get their meat abroad from ASF-free countries,” Vincoy said.
Vincoy disclosed that the Provincial Veterinarian Office has already recommended to Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia to extend the ban on the entry of pork and pork-related products from Panay Island.
Garcia had earlier issued an executive order (EO) banning the entry of pork and pork products from Panay and Iloilo until Dec. 12.
With the increasing of ASF cases in Panay Island, the lady governor is mulling to extend the ban.
She has also ordered an indefinite ban on the entry of pork and pork-related products from various areas in Luzon and Visayas affected by ASF.