• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Amid the ongoing challenges brought by the African swine fever (ASF) resurgence, majority of the municipal and city mayors in Negros Occidental have thrown their support behind the establishment of regulated prices for hogs and pork to stabilize the local swine industry.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., president of Negros Association of Chief Executives, on Wednesday, Aug. 12 confirmed the unified backing of the local chief executives.
The push comes as the Negros Occidental provincial government works on crafting a comprehensive, province-wide policy modeled after local initiatives already successfully implemented across parts of the island.
The Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental earlier proposed a minimum buying price of P160 to P170 per kilogram (kg.) live weight to help reverse plummeting farmgate rates that have threatened local producers.
Escalante noted the Sangguniang Panlalawigan intends to incorporate essential safeguards such as subsidies or price allowances into the framework, acknowledging the natural fluctuation of market rates driven by supply and demand.
Several local government units in Negros Occidental have already taken proactive steps to stabilize their respective markets, including cities of Sagay, Talisay, and Himamaylan.
Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva established minimum retail pork pricing at P270 per kg. and carcass at P200 per kg. while Talisay City Mayor Rowena Lopez Lizares enforced a minimum farmgate price of P170 per kg. live weight, carcass at P240 per kg., and retail at P270 per kg.
Himamaylan City also adopted similar minimum pricing structures to protect local stakeholders.
The provincial government is currently reviewing these localized measures to formulate a uniform, enforceable pricing scheme designed to protect raisers, traders, and consumers alike while preventing any loopholes that could undermine the regulations.
Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said on Wednesday that the Provincial Price Coordinating Council is set to convene this week to discuss the proposal. | GPB
