Pangasinan bans sale of imported frozen meat

MANILA, Philippines - The Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan has passed a resolution urging local government units (LGUs) in the province to ban the sale of all imported frozen meat.

Abono party-list Rep. Rosendo So, in a statement released during a news forum in Quezon yesterday, said Vice Gov. Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. authored Resolution 54-2012, calling on LGUS to come up with precautionary measures to strictly monitor the handling of frozen meat and meat products for sale in the market within their territorial jurisdiction to ensure its quality and safety.

“Public health and welfare must be considered with top priority,” the resolution said.

“This move by the local government units to protect its citizens from the proliferation of frozen meat of dubious origin and safety, if enforced, will help greatly in the fight against smuggled meat,” said So.

Urdaneta City was the first to adopt the resolution. The municipalities of Pozzorobio, Sison and San Nicolas said they will also pass similar resolutions.

Hog raisers lauded the initiative of the provincial government, saying it will help stop smuggling of agricultural products.

Under Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code, LGUs are the principal controlling authority in the regulation of meat and meat products within their territorial jurisdiction.

Local hog raisers in Pangasinan have complained that the influx of frozen meat is killing their business.