In San Jose de Buenavista, the capital of Antique, residents are turning to fish and vegetables as alternatives due to the steep prices of pork. Darcy Bungay, head of the San Jose de Buenavista Municipal Economic Enterprise and Development Office (MEEDO), noted that pork prices at the Dalipe Tradetown Public Market have escalated to between PHP400 and PHP420 per kilogram, up from PHP380 to PHP400 last month. This surge is attributed to a reduced supply of pork, exacerbated by the ongoing effects of African swine fever (ASF) and heightened demand during festival seasons in nearby provinces.
Bungay explained that local swine producers are selling their livestock to traders from Iloilo, Aklan, and Cebu City at PHP230 per kilogram for live weight, which is higher than the PHP200 offered by local traders. This has led to a significant drop in the number of pigs available for slaughter at the municipal facility, which typically processes between 26 to 30 heads daily.
As a result, consumers are increasingly purchasing more affordable options like mackerel tuna, priced between PHP150 to PHP350 per kilogram, and vegetables such as squash, string beans, and eggplants. These alternatives are helping residents manage their budgets amidst the pork price hike.
Dr. Marco Rafael Ardamil, from the Antique Provincial Veterinary Office’s Public Health Division, mentioned that efforts are underway to combat ASF. Last December, 131 sentinel animals were distributed to affected hog raisers. Ardamil expressed hope that San Jose de Buenavista would remain ASF-free, allowing the Department of Agriculture to distribute more piglets and aid in the recovery of the local hog industry.