Hog raisers’ group has doubts about DA’s loan program

Some hog raisers are hesitant to join the Department of Agriculture’s loan program in the face of the implementation price ceiling and the shortage of pork supply.

The Department of Agriculture had earlier announced that the agency had set aside P27 billion for loans from commercial hog raisers. Up to P600 million has been set aside for backyard hog raisers.

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Members of the National Federation of Hog Raisers are said to be worried that they will not be able to repay the debt due to African swine fever, according to their leader Chester Warren Yeo Tan.

“Sa survey namin, halos wala kaming nakuhang stakeholder na gustong umutang dahil medyo high risk po ito. Ang takot po nila, kapag hindi naging successful, kahit zero interest ‘yan ay baka hindi kami makapagbayad ng principal dahil po dito sa ASF na issue, hindi pa po ayos,” said Tan.

He also said that they are not sure how many pigs they can supply to Metro Manila especially since they are having difficulty due to the set price ceiling by the government.

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Hog raisers’ group has doubts about DA’s loan program

The price freeze implemented by the government at the price of pork will now amount to P270 to P300.

The implementation of the price ceiling caused a “pork holiday” or led retailers to close their markets because they could not follow the price freeze.

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Prior to the price freeze, the market price reached P400, something hog raisers pointed out about the shortage of pigs brought by ASF.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City local government will not charge rent to vendors in the markets in the face of the enforced price ceiling on pork and chicken prices.

“We have decided to waive their rental fees to help them cope with the current crisis, and we enjoin our private markets to do the same,” said QC mayor Joy Belmonte in a statement released by the LGU on their website.

Those who do not follow the price ceiling will receive a notice of violation.