(Mayor Josefino Angeles and other ranking officials in boodle fight over roast pigs and other meat preparations in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija. Photo by Armand Galang)
SANTA ROSA, Nueva Ecija – Three lechon (roast pig) events were held in this town and the provincial Capitol in Palayan City to underscore the safety of meat products in Nueva Ecija markets on Thursday.
Mayor Josefino Angeles, members of the sangguniang bayan and heads of various government agencies led the public in eating three roasted pigs and other meat preparations in separate boodle fights at the municipal gymnasium and the public market organized by the market vendors’ association during lunchtime.
“Ito ay para ipakita sa lahat na walang ASF sa Santa Rosa at ligtas kainin ang karneng baboy dito sa amin,” said Angeles. He stressed that the provincial government has set up strategically located animal livestock checkpoints to protect local industry.
Lina Silva, the association’s president, assured the public that the hog meat sold in their stalls were coming solely from local hog raisers and have undergone proper checking by authorities.
“Sigurado po kami na walang sakit ang aming mga karne dahil dumadaan po sa tamang proseso,” she said.
She noted though that the demand has drastically decreased to some 30 heads from the previous average of 60 heads per day at Santa Rosa market. This forced them to cut per kilo prices at P190 from P220.
“Pero yun pong suppliers ay hindi nagbabawas ng presyo dahil hindi naman talaga apektado ang kanilang alaga,” she said.
At the provincial Capitol, Gov. Aurelio Umali led the public in consuming 36 lechons.
