July 11, 2023

Philippines president expected to meet with hog, poultry producers

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr was to meet with hog and poultry raisers' groups on July 10 as flooding of imported and smuggled pork and chicken products has been plaguing the local industry.

In an interview with The STAR, United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) and Philippine Egg Board (PEB) chairman Gregorio San Diego said the consultation at Malacañang would be a venue for poultry and hog raisers to relay to the president the problems affecting the local industry.

"We will see what the outcome of our meeting with President Marcos will be," San Diego said. He added that the stakeholders meeting was arranged by the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) after a consultation with officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) led by Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban two months ago.

"We hope (the meeting) will become productive for the sake of the local industry as he said he wants to be the secretary of the DA to help the agriculture sector," San Diego said, referring to Marcos Jr.

Hog and poultry raisers would air their concerns as the local industry continues to suffer amid the unabated smuggling and flooding of imported meat products, according to UBRA and PEB chief.

"We will really speak up, and this is on record. Our members will no longer accuse us of failure to voice our concerns as it will be the President who will hear our issues," he said. He added that if not addressed, the continuing flooding of imported and smuggled meat products will kill the local industry.

- Philstar