Dealers decry "lechon shaving" allegation

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Lechon Dealers Association has cried foul over the allegation hurled by a local university professor accusing them of cheating their customers by shaving part of the meat.

Rico Dionson, president of the organization, said that the accusation made by Professor Cherry Ballescas of the University of the Philippines was “unfair’ to them who are doing legitimate business.

“The professor should name names kung asa siya nag-order. Ako siyang gihagit nga magdala ko og lechon diri unya ako siyang pakit-on kung unsa-on paghimo,” Dionson said. 

 Ballescas raised the alleged “modus operandi” of the lechon dealers to Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon prompting the latter to look into it.

Dizon together with city veterinarian Alice Utlang yesterday met with the lechon dealers to inquire about allegation. The 37 members of the association denied the “unfair” accusation.

“Unsa-on mana nimo pagkuha og unod sa sulod sa baboy nga ribs naman na. Unfair kaayo iyang statement nga wala niya huna-hunaa nga kini makadaot sa tibuok lechonan sa Cebu,” Dionson said.

Dionson said they are willing to appear before the City Council if they will be called to shed light on the allegation.

One of the lechon dealer said that one way to improve the taste of lechon is to break the back bone so that the spices placed in the stomach will sip into the meat behind the ribs.

Dionson also pointed out that the “dinuguan” is not part of the order of the lechon. “Wala gyud na maapil sa order ang dinuguan, nahulog nalang nang pakapin pero wala gyud na’y apil sa ilang gi-order namo,” he said.–(FREEMAN)