27 kilos of ‘hot meat’ seized in Burgos market

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Some 27 kilos of ‘hot meat’ were seized by members of the City Hall’s Task Force Botagoy at the Burgos Public Market in Bacolod City, Tuesday.

Task Force Botagoy head Edward Martin Pinaga said they believe the pork products they seized were imported and displayed by a butcher shop even though it is already emitting foul odor.

Pinaga said since the meat products are imported, it should not be removed from the freezer to avoid spoilage.

The seized meat products were brought to the city’s slaughter house in Barangay Handumanan and were immediately buried.

Pinaga said they inspect meat sold in city markets due to the threat posed by the African swine fever.

Earlier this week, the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office was placed on heightened alert after the Department of Agriculture confirmed that hog samples in Luzon tested positive for African swine fever.

The veterinary office also released an order last month ordering the removal of Chinese pork products from major grocery stores in Bacolod City.

Among the brands ordered to be removed from market shelves include Narcissus, Heaven Temple, Ma Ling, Shabu Shabu, Sol Primo, Wang Taste of Korea, Highway, Sky Dragon, and Weilin.

Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko urged the public to report if they find Chinese pork products on sale at local markets.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson urged Negrenses to avoid bringing in pork originating from outside the province.

“If you have relatives coming, we ask them not to bring in pork,” he urged. “Buy our local pork.”