CEBU-BASED The Pork Shop by Virginia Farms has opened its second branch in Leyte to supply consumers with fresh local pork amid the continued threat of the African swine fever (ASF).

This new branch, located on F. Torres St. in Tacloban City, opened on June 18, 2021 through its franchisee Monav Food Products Corp.

The Pork Shop opened its first branch Leyte in Ormoc in April this year.

Virginia Farms Inc. president Rolando Tambago said the opening of the branch in Tacloban provides consumers in Leyte more access to local pork that’s guaranteed fresh and safe to eat.

“We operate our own farm in Asturias, Cebu, and we also have our own slaughterhouse and meat cutting plant. In all our operations, we practice the highest standard and comply with all government standards,” said Tambago.

ASF in Visayas

The ASF has spread to more areas in Eastern Visayas, affecting 30 towns and cities in the region in the past six months, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The ASF virus has been present in Abuyog, Javier, La Paz, Dulag, MacArthur, Tanauan, Palo, Pastrana, Burauen, Tacloban City, Jaro, Mayorga, Carigara, Tolosa, Tabontabon, Dagami, Sta. Fe, San Miguel, Tunga, Barugo, and Mahaplag in Leyte.

In other provinces, affected areas are Lope de Vega, Catarman, and Mondragon in Northern Samar; Silago in Southern Leyte; Catbalogan City, Sta. Rita, and Calbayog City, Samar; and Dolores and Oras in Eastern Samar.

“Of the 30 affected areas, five towns have not reported new cases in the past 90 days. That means interventions of DA and local government units are really working,” DA Eastern Visayas regional executive director Angel Enriquez said in a Philippine News Agency report.

Expansion plans

Meanwhile, Virginia Farms piggeries, where The Pork Shop sources its meat products, have the Environmental Compliance Certificate and are currently processing for Good Animal Husbandry Practices Certifications.

The Virginia slaughterhouse and meat plant and its meat cutting plant in Maguikay, Mandaue City are both NMIS-accredited and fully observe the food safety standards imposed by the agency.

With the opening of its Tacloban branch, The Pork Shop now has a total of 47 branches in Cebu, three in Iloilo, one in Naval, Biliran and two in Leyte.

More branches are lined up for opening in Leyte and Samar this year as the company continues to expand its presence.

The Pork Shop will also be opening a branch in Balamban, Cebu on July 18, 2021. (KOC)