Negros Occidental is studying the imposition of a minimum buying price for live hogs and pork, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Thursday, August 6.
He noted that Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental imposed a minimum buying price for live hogs and pork products to protect raisers amid growing concerns over the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
“I understand that traders are avoiding Guihulngan and buying from neighboring towns and cities instead, which somehow weakens the executive order,” Lacson said.
But he heard plans are underway to impose the minimum buying price provincewide in Negros Oriental, the governor said.
“We are studying that option here in Negros Occidental if it is legal to set a price,” he said, to protect hog raisers from plunging prices.
The live weight price used to range from ₱140 to ₱150 per kilo but has dropped to ₱110 to ₱115, marking a significant loss for local raisers, Lacson noted.
Meanwhile, 1,546 heads of livestock and poultry, valued at ₱739,650, were distributed to qualified farmers, associations, local government units, and institutional partners on Thursday as part of the provincial government’s continuing animal productivity programs to boost farmers’ livelihoods.
The ceremonial turnover of livestock and poultry under the Provincial Swine Industry Recovery Initiatives and Animal Genetic Improvement and Livelihood Programs was held at the Provincial Capitol grounds.
The assistance included 98 piglet weaners, 1,300 free-range chicks, five weaned male cattle, two rams (male sheep), 50 Muscovy ducklings, 50 Itik Pinas growers, and 250 Itik Pinas ducklings.
The distributed animals were produced by the province’s two livestock facilities: the Negros First Ranch (NFR) and the Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm.
The provincial government also distributed five culled male cattle to qualified recipients under the Provincial Cattle Fattening Program, which aims to provide beneficiaries with additional family income through the sale of fattened cattle.
Recipients of the livestock dispersal program included 26 associations, one cooperative, five farm schools, one eco-tourism organization, and seven individual beneficiaries.*
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