SEVENTY-FIVE live pigs were bought by the local government unit of Mati to cover the shortage in the supply of pork meat in the city, as well as lower its prices in the local market.
In a statement from the City Information Office (CIO) of Mati, the 75 live pigs arrived at Mati City Slaughterhouse on Friday evening, February 18, 2022, from Maharlika Farm in Davao del Sur.
Councilor Eric Rabat, City Veterinarian Dr. Marites Linsag-Erispe, and Mati Slaughterhouse officer-in-charge Virgilio Dacillo Jr. were present during the transaction.
With this development, Rabat hopes that meat retailers in the city will start to lower their prices beginning next month after facing an increase during the fourth quarter of 2021, according to Ben Tesiorna, information officer from the CIO.
Rabat said the increase in meat prices in Mati City is due to the shortage of supply in meat caused by the African Swine Fever (ASF).
“For the meantime, mag-request support (kita) from other farms para ma-stabilize ang prices,” Rabat said.
As per CIO, the current meat prices in Mati City range from P340 to P360 per kilogram depending on the cut. With the newly acquired supply, a P20 price deduction is targeted.
In 2021, a total of 10,078 farmers in 209 barangays spread out in 40 local government units in Davao Region were reported to be affected by ASF.
As of date, it is still unclear exactly how long the new supply will cover the shortage.
“It will all depend on the availability of live pigs from the suppliers,” Tesiorno told SunStar Davao.