Eden Facelo, a resident of Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro, will sell his 4 pigs even though they are not old enough.
Facelo was afraid that the price of pigs would drop even more, which is now only P180 per kilo (live pigs) from the previous P230.
“Kahit wala pa talaga sa pagbenta gusto ko na ibenta,” said Facelo.
Pork prices fell in the province after dead pigs were found on the beach in the towns of Naujan and Pola.
Although not yet confirmed, many Oriental Mindoro people are afraid that the pigs are carrying African swine fever (ASF).
Meat vendor Ever Duka also feels the hustle and bustle of pork buyers.
The price of Duka’s products has been reduced by P20, which is now only P320 per kilo.
“Mas humina ngayon dahil sa nabalitaan, akala siguro may epekto sa atin,” said Duka.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is also conducting an investigation into the found dead pigs, especially as officials strongly suspect that they were thrown from the ship.
“Bina-backtrack natin kung may barkong dumaan sa mga araw ng Sabado saka Linggo, at malaman natin kung may illegal activites na ginagawa,” said PCG Spokesperson Armand Balilo.
Pork prices in Or. Mindoro drop due to dead pigs found offshore
The provincial veterinary office of Oriental Mindoro is now holding a picture of a ship where the dead hogs came.
“We got a photo na nagkakarga ‘yong tripulante ng baboy from the Visayas,” said Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor.
“Hindi lang namin ma-trace kung saang port pero pinapa-trace ko na ngayon,” he added.
Naujan Mayor Mark Marcos also expedited the investigation.
Director Ronnie Domingo of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said that the Provincial Veterinary Office reported to them that 35 dead pigs were found along the coast of the towns of Naujan and Pola in Oriental Mindoro.
“Ang ginawa nila kumolekta ng sample, ‘yun po ay pinoproseso ng laboratoryo baka po sa mga susunod na oras ay lalabas na yung resulta,” said Domingo.
He also added that there are speculations that the residents threw the dead pigs.