Hog industry airs concerns over meat technical smuggling

By Virgilio Sar. Maganes

Mandaue City, CEBU- Misdeclaration and under valuation of imported meat, repeal of Administrative Orders No. 5 and 6, curbing of the unhampered meat importation due to technical smuggling and saving of the hog industry particularly the backyard hog raising.

These were the main issues raised by the stakeholders of the hog industry during their 21st Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits held at the Cebu International Convention Center here last April 19 to 21, 2012.

Convened with he theme, “ The Power of One: One Industry…One Voice..Fresh Pinoy Pork”, two national organizations of the hog industry- National Federation of Hog Farmers,Inc. (NFHFI) and the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (ProPork) came in united and full force to bring to the government the urgent issues which caused the closure of at least 20% local backyard hog raising and due to non-averted meat importation in the country.

ProPork President Edwin G. Chen said that the convention was a show of solid and united front to overcome the challenges of the hog industry and that “it is the first time that the two pillar organizations of the hog industry came together to conquer the problems that local hog producers are facing and how to overcome these hurdles.”

“ I call on the support of the Filipino people. If they eat imported meat, they are helping the hog farmers of the exporter countries notably US and Canada. Local hog raisers will be left behind, that’s why we need to stop the problems besetting the local hog industry,” Chen said.

NFHFI Chairman Daniel P. Javellana, Jr. also said that the convention is a venue for the exchanges of communication between the government and the stakeholders of the hog industry in order to ventilate problems and formulate solutions to the impending problems.

“ We have to bring our problems to the government particularly the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC). They should hear our problems that have long been articulated to them, but until now no concrete actions have been done by these agencies.

Bigwigs from the government sector attended the convention – Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Livestock Davinio P. Catbagan, Custom Commissioner Rufino Biazon and BAI Director Efren C. Nuestro.

Abono Partylist Chair Rosendo O. So, Agham Partylist Rep. Angelo B. Palmones, Agap Partylist Rep. Nicanor Briones, Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza, Hose Chair on Agriculture and Butil Partylist Rep. Agapito H. Guanlao also attended the convention and individually expressed their support to the concerns of the hog industry.

Former 5th District Rep. Mark O. Cojuangco also graced the convention and expressed his concern on the inaction of the government of the various problems raised by the hog industry sector (see separate story)