Food blockade flops in Metro

Government officials said yesterday the food blockade staged by hograisers to protest the alleged failure to curb importation and smuggling of meat imports was a failure.

"The food blockade is not working. The non-delivery of pork launched by the Agriculture Sector Alliance of the Philippines (ASAP)-Limcoma Multipurpose Cooperatives starting Feb. 6, has not at all affected the supply and prices of pork in Metro Manila," said Bureau of Animal Industry director (BAI) Jose Molina.

Molina said that a survey jointly conducted by the BAI and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics yesterday showed no changes in both the supply and prices of pork.

Molina said the price monitoring team surveyed 24 different public markets in Metro Manila and the results showed that pork prices and supply were stable with retail cuts such as pige and liempo still selling at P100 to P120 per kilogram.

The 24 public markets monitored were in Alabang, Baclaran, Blumentritt, Central Market, Clolverleaf, Divisoria, EDSA Central, Farmer’s Market, Guadalupe, Las Piñas, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muñoz, Navotas, Nepa-Q-Mart, Paco, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quiapo, Sangandaan, San Juan and Trabajo.

"We will continue the close monitoring of supply and prices until Saturday which is the last day of the supposed three-day pig sale holiday," said Molina. – Rocel Felix