Capitol hosts lechon eating event to promote local pork

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – To promote Negros Occidental’s African Swine Fever-free status, a lechon eating event will be held today at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer will also officially sign in the same occasion Provincial Ordinance No. 2019-024 (The ASF Prevention Ordinance of Negros Occidental).

Dr. Renante Decena, Head of the Provincial Veterinary Office, said aside from lechon eating, they will also give out gift certificates and samples of locally made hams and other pork products which will be the highlight of the declaration of Negros as ASF Free.

Board member Pal Guanzon, who sponsored Ordinance No. 1042 Series of 2019 declaring Negros an ASF Free Province, pushed for the holding of lechon eating today to get rid of the fear of ASF.

Decena also pointed out that local consumption went down after the declaration of the ASF outbreak in Luzon.

He said that pork consumption declined by 20 to 30 percent.

“But now we have recovered and that based on record, the increase in prices of beef and chicken and even eggs by an average of more than P1 per piece contributes to higher consumption of pork. Since November 15, the pork consumption has started to pick- up,” Decena revealed.

About eight pieces of lechon will be served today to be shared to all stakeholders, department heads, members of the provincial board, task force members, media and hog raisers, Decena added.