January 20, 2005

 

 

Hog production in Philippine province in full swing in 2005

 

Hog production in Philippines' Negros Occidental will be in full swing this year..

 

According to Ignacio Locsin, National Federation of Hog Raisers Inc.-Negros Occidental vice president, livestock production in the province is one of the industries good for diversification and proves to be a promising industry next to sugar.

 

Locsin said the Provincial Government through Governor Joseph Marañon has a good program for the livestock industry.

 

It also focuses on corn production.

 

"The two industries should go hand in hand," said Locsin who is also the concurrent chairman of the Swine Board of the Philippines.

 

In hog production, Negros Occidental is self-sufficient, said Locsin.

 

He added the province is supplying the demand for pork of Manila and Cebu from its class A slaughterhouse in Victorias City.

 

Locsin said about 70 to 80 percent of the province's hog production goes for export.

 

Luzon is currently burdened foot-and-mouth disease so Negros Occidental took advantage and concentrated on exporting hogs.

 

Through export alone, the province is earning millions of pesos in investment, said Locsin who however did not reveal any figures.

 

The occurrence of FMD cases in Manila resulted in the high cost of production of hogs.

 

"The price difference of hog per kilo between the province and in Manila is at P10 to P15," he said.

 

"The province has a good future with the livestock industry," Locsin said.