NEGROS Occidental’s hosting of the 25th National Hog Congress in partnership with the Philippine Pork Federation will showcase the best practices of the province’s swine industry, which will be replicated by other provinces.
The event, themed “HogCon@25: Putting Our Best Pork Forward,” set on April 14 to 16, will gather about 3,000 commercial and backyard hog raisers nationwide.
Shiela Jomayao, project development officer IV of Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), said the Philippine Statistics Authority has recognized Negros Occidental as still, the number one in backyard swine production.
Currently, the province produces an average of about 500,000 heads per year, Jomayao said, adding that in terms of quality of meat, it is also being recognized as one of the best producing provinces.
“By highlighting our best practices and development programs, the national hog congress will surely boost the local swine industry as it will attract and spark more interests of both public and private sectors,” she said.
On Monday, PVO personnel met with officials of the Alliance of Hog Raisers of Negros Occidental (Ahrano) to finalize the activities for the three-day national congress.
The activity kicks off with a lechon parade from the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center (Nompac) Gym in Bacolod City passing through Lacson Street going to the South Capitol Road.
During the activity, about 150 lechons will be showcased by 26 participating local hog raisers associations in the province.
Other activities include the Governor’s Night at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, exhibits and series of seminars to be held at the SMX Convention Center, exhibition games, and golf tournament at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City.
The seminars, which will focus more on swine raising and meat handling, will also be attended by national speakers and foreign experts as well as by various companies like feeds suppliers, Jomayao said.
“On top of learning and sharing, we will also be able to link local raisers to potential suppliers and markets,” Jomayao said, stressing that the congress is also an opportunity to further strengthen the partnerships among different sectors in the development of swine industry.