By Dolly Yasa
Bacolod City – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said commercial hog raisers in the province have diverted their livestock to Manila due to the ban on hogs and pork products in Cebu.
The governor told reporters that until now there is no response yet from Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia to their appeal to lift the ban.
Lacson said hog raisers from the province decided to market live pigs in Metro Manila.
The price of live hogs in Manila is cheaper by P20 per kilo compared to provinces in Visayas where they are usually sold, he added.
But he said it is better than pursuing their market in Leyte because it would cost more as they need to travel a longer route.
Earlier, hog raisers sought the help of Lacson to ask Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to allow even just the passage of hog shipments bound for Eastern Visayas from Negros through Cebu.
Lacson said that since March 7, Negros Occidental hog raisers have shipped 1,100 heads to Metro Manila at cheaper prices.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana said the estimated impact of the hog ban amounts to P18 million weekly.
Aside from these, there are also unfulfilled commitments from hog breeders here to contend with.
“These are contracted supplies of hogs that were not fulfilled and amounted to P14 million,” Lemana said.
Lemana also debunked insinuations that the ASF virus that hit Carcar hogs came from the province.
Negros Occidental and Bacolod City have also banned the entry of live pigs and pork-related products from Cebu, after the confirmed detection of ASF cases in Carcar City.
