Utlang to go after "dishonest" lechon dealers

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council is urging city veterinarian Alice Utlang to investigate some unscrupulous lechon dealers preying on innocent consumers.

Councilor Arsenio Pacaña said he received several reports about the anomalous practices of some lechon dealers wherein they take a huge part of the pig’s inner terderloin without the customers noticing it.

According to Pacaña some lechon buyers have observed that while a lechon may look big from the outside but it only has a very thin meat left inside because the so-called “lomo” or tenderloin portion was already taken before it was roasted.

Pacaña brought the issue before the council to bring to the attention of the concerned government agencies.

He said Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines was enacted by the government to protect consumers from deceitful practices of some businessman.

“Kon magpa-lechon ka gani para kaugalingon nimo nga gamit mas labing maayo nga bantayan nimo gikan sa pag-ihaw aron sigurado ka nga dili laplapan ang sulod sa giihaw nga baboy,” said Felix Camomot, who is living near a lechon dealer in Banilad.

Roger Castro of Barangay Lahug also shared his personal experience to The FREEMAN.

“Nakasuway ko ana sa una dihang mi-order ko og lechon sa Mambaling. Daku tuod tan-awon apan dihang gikombati na sa akong bisita, mora man og nahulpa, wala na man diay sulod ang ilawom,” Castro said while shaking his head.

Utlang said she already ordered his meat inspectors to conduct a massive inspection to all lechon dealers starting this month.

She also warned lechon dealers to refrain from selling lechon without permit otherwise they will have it confiscated. Last week Utlang’s staff confiscated two lechon from a dealer in Barangay Apas for lack of the necessary permit.

The two lechons were donated to the street children at the Parian Drop-in Center. (FREEMAN NEWS)