DTI-Ilocos Sur Urges Consumers to Patronize Local Pork

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Ilocos Sur urged the public to solely patronize pork products from the province until the threat of the African swine fever (ASF) to the hog industry subsides.

“Tangkilikin ang mga local producers at nakasisiguro pa tayo na ang kanilang karne ay safe at galing sa atin,” Amelia Galvez of DTI-Ilocos Sur said during the Dap-ayan Ilocos Sur media forum of the Philippine Information Agency on Thursday.

Galvez said that consumers may see less processed pork products in grocery stores this holiday season, including the traditional Christmas ham, due to the temporary ban on entry of live pigs and frozen hog meat in the province.

It can be recalled that Governor Ryan Luis Singson issued Executive Order No. 24, s. of 2019 on August 22 to ban temporarily the entry to the province of live hogs from other provinces, and frozen hog meats as a safety measure to make sure that the ASF will not infect hogs in the province.

The province-wide temporary ban in the entry of pork products and live hogs also forced the removal of pork meals from the menu of a fast-food chain in Vigan City and only beef, chicken, and seafood products can be ordered.

Meanwhile, she announced that DTI will soon conduct a Diskwento Caravan in the municipalities of Sigay and Sugpon.

The Diskwento Caravan is one of the mechanisms of the government to augment income and provide relief to workers through non-wage benefits.

It is a public service conducted by DTI in partnership with big retailers and distributors. (AMB/PIA Ilocos Sur)