MABALACAT CITY — Amid the African Swine Flu (ASF) scare, City Mayor Crisostomo “Chris” Garbo on Tuesday led a boodle fight of pork-based dishes and assured the public that the pork is safe for consumption.
Held at the Mabalacat City Public Market, Garbo – with Vice Mayor Atty. Gerald Aquino, Councilor Marcos Castro, City Veterinarian Dr. Abel Canlas, staff of the Mabalacat City Public Market administration and officers and members of Mabalacat City Public Market Vendors Association – led the boodle fight to taste and feast on saucy pork caldereta and Kapampangan pork adobo.
Garbo supported the call and assurance that pork is safe for consumption particularly in Mabalacat City, following the ASF scare.
“We want to show to you that Mabalacat City is not affected by ASF. Meat sold and processed at the Mabalacat City Public Market is safe,” Garbo said.
“Buyers are safe and we guarantee that the Mabalacat City Government supports food security,” he furthered.
Earlier, Mayor Garbo ordered a temporary ban of pork into the city to safeguard Mabalaqueños from the threat of the ASF.
Garbo issued Executive Order 42 following the directive of Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda to ban the entry of all live pigs into the province to protect the multi-million hog industry and meat processors from ASF.
Although there was no ASF outbreak in the city, Garbo still issued the executive order to safeguard public health.
To combat the entry of pork or live pigs in the city, Garbo included in his Executive Order the creation of the Anti Swine Task Force to man every point of entry and conduct inspections.
