ASF scare pushes up chicken price in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The retail price of chicken has reached as high as P240 per kilo with the increase in demand amid the pork scare due to the African swine fever (ASF), according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The retail price of chicken ranged between P180 and P240 per kilo, based on the latest price watch of the DA in Metro Manila markets.

On the other hand, the retail price of pork shoulder ranged between P280 and P370 per kilo and pork belly, between P305 and P400 per kilo.

The prices of eggs also increased to as high as P11 per piece, depending on size.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the Department of Health has issued an advisory that pork sold in the markets are safe to eat.

“We advise our fellow citizens to look for the seal of the National Meat Inspection Service when buying all kinds of meat whether in the market or grocery,” De Mesa said.

He also discouraged the public from eating raw meat.

“If you are not sure about the quality of meat you bought, cook it thoroughly. Avoid anything raw, especially if you are not sure of the source,” De Mesa added.

Backyard piggeries

Amid the recent surge of cases of ASF in other areas, the Quezon City government urged owners of backyard piggeries in the city to voluntarily surrender their livestock to the local government.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the city will compensate owners who voluntarily surrender their pigs on or before Aug. 31.

In 2020, the city approved an ordinance banning piggeries and poultry farms for meat production, in line with a resolution from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, which prohibits piggeries and poultries in highly urbanized cities.

Despite the policy, Belmonte said they have discovered at least 240 backyard piggeries, mostly in Barangay Payatas.

“Since we are talking about backyard farmers and perhaps this is their only source of livelihood… We decided to allow them to self-report and turn over to the city their pigs. We will buy them at a reasonable rate,” Belmonte said.

The city said it will start imposing fines after the Aug. 31 deadline.

Surrendered pigs will be tested for ASF. Those which test positive will be condemned as mandated by existing policy, while those declared healthy will be turned over to the DA.

The meat from these healthy pigs will be sold at Kadiwa Centers, said Belmonte.

Amid the surge in cases in other areas, the city government reiterated that Quezon City remains ASF-free.

It established four livestock checkpoints in the city to support efforts of the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry to curb the spread of the disease. — Janvic Mateo