Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expressed support for hog raisers’ call to raise farmgate pork prices and tighten import controls, saying the government must help ensure local producers receive fair compensation while keeping pork prices manageable for Filipino consumers.
A group of local hog raisers recently called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to raise farmgate liveweight hog prices to P210 per kilo and raise tariffs on imported pork.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, said farmgate prices should be high enough to cover the production costs of hog raisers and provide them with a fair return on their investment.
“Suportado natin nang 100% ang panawagan ng ating mga magbababoy na itaas ang farmgate price. Hindi makatarungan na napakataas ng nagagastos nila para makapag-alaga ng baboy pero napakababa naman ang benta nito,” Pangilinan said.
He added that the government must ensure local hog raisers can earn enough to sustain their operations and keep producing pork for the domestic market.
“Kung lugi ang magbababoy, titigil sila. Kapag nagsara ang mga piggery at lumiit ang lokal na produksyon, lalo pang tataas ang importation at lalo pang magmamahal ang mga pork products. Kaya ang laban para sa makatarungang farmgate price ay laban din para sa food security.”
Reports indicate that farmgate prices for liveweight hogs have fallen to as low as P120 to P160 per kilo in some areas.
Pangilinan said these prices are insufficient to cover production costs and could force some hog raisers to scale down or shut down their operations altogether.
The senator, who has championed agriculture and fisheries for more than a decade, also said it is time to review policies on pork tariffs and importation.
“Nakatulong ang importasyon noong kapos ang supply dahil sa ASF (African Swine Flu). Pero ngayong unti-unti nang bumabangon ang lokal na industriya, dapat tiyakin na ang dami at presyo ng imported pork ay hindi sumisira sa kabuhayan ng ating mga lokal na magbababoy,” he pointed out.
The senator likewise backed calls for tighter management of pork imports, saying import volumes must be carefully calibrated with domestic production and demand.
“Ang dapat nating hanapin ay balanse: presyong makatarungan para sa magbababoy at presyong abot-kaya naman para sa mamimili. Hindi kailangang pagpilian ang producer at consumer. Kung tama ang polisiya sa produksyon, importasyon, at bentahan, parehong puwedeng protektahan,” he said.
But he also stressed that managing imports should not be used as a justification for allowing retail prices to remain high, emphasizing the need for the government to monitor the entire pork supply chain.
“Ang gusto natin, makatarungan para sa producer at abot-kaya para sa consumer. Kapag bumababa ang presyo sa farmgate pero hindi naman bumababa ang presyo sa palengke, may problema sa supply chain na kailangang tingnan. Hindi dapat ang hog raisers ang laging sumasalo ng mababang presyo habang ang consumer naman ay patuloy na nagbabayad nang mahal,” Pangilinan added.
Meanwhile, he also said the government should continue strengthening support for local hog production, particularly through biosecurity measures, ASF prevention and control, affordable feeds, financing, and access to stable markets.
A stronger hog industry will reduce the country’s dependence on imported pork and ensure a stable domestic supply.
“Ang gusto natin ay isang industriya ng baboy na kayang mabuhay ang producer at kayang bumili ang consumer. Pareho namang Pilipino ang magbababoy at ang mamimili kaya dapat maprotektahan ng gobyerno ang pareho nilang interes, pangangailangan, at karapatan,” the senator said.