Hog raisers cite DA for stopping meat smuggling

Manila, Philippines -  Hog raisers yesterday thanked the Department of Agriculture (DA) for stopping rampant meat smuggling in the country and aborting their plan to declare a “meat holiday.”

National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) chairman Daniel Javellana Jr. said had it not for the immediate action of the DA to fight meat smuggling, many of them would be out of business.

“We are happy with Agriculture Secretary (Proceso) Alcala’s dialogue with the Bureau of Customs officials, led by Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, to thresh out the problem of rampant meat smuggling,” Javellana said.

“We want to give fair play to our local producers,” Secretary Alcala said. “If smuggled goods will continue to enter our country without paying taxes, the government and local producers will be the losers.”

Javella lamented that at least 20 percent of backyard hog raisers have shut down their businesses due to smuggling.

Meanwhile, Alcala announced that he had ordered National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Antonio Nangel to also focus in maintaining all the irrigation systems and dams in the country.

Nangel said, the mini-hydro power plants being built in several irrigation systems in the country are expected to be operational this December.

“It can produce electricity by December and the public will benefit from it,” Nangel said.

He added soon, the public can get clean or potable water from the irrigation system.