Following his call to raise farmgate prices of pork and tighten pork import controls, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Tuesday, November 10, welcomed the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) announcement of a 60-day ban on pork imports, as it will address the difficulties faced by local hog raisers and strengthen the country’s domestic livestock industry.
The chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform said the measure will help ensure that hog raisers can recover their production costs and sustain their livelihoods.
The senator previously raised concerns about the steep decline in farmgate prices of live hogs, which fell from around P215 per kilo in June 2025 to approximately P150 per kilo in August 2026. In some areas, prices had reportedly dropped to as low as P120 to P160 per kilo—levels that are insufficient for many raisers to cover their production expenses.
“Matagal nang hinaing ng ating mga hog raisers ang mababang farmgate prices dahil luging-lugi naman sila sa napakataas na cost of production ng pag-aalaga ng baboy. Kaya we welcome this development from the DA—magandang unang hakbang ang pagpipigil sa pagpasok ng imported na karne ng baboy para makabangon naman ang ating hog industry,” he remarked.
The import ban, he pointed out, can provide local producers with an opportunity to sell their hogs at more reasonable prices, recover their investments, and continue supplying the domestic market.
But he also emphasized that the 60-day pork import ban should not be treated as a one-time intervention. Instead, the senator said it should be part of a broader effort to revive the local hog industry.
“Hindi naman natin isasara ang pintuan sa pork imports. Ang gusto natin ay kontrolado at tamang timing sa pagpasok ng mga imported na agricultural products, tulad ng karneng baboy, para hindi nito mapatay ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magbababoy,” Pangilinan added.
The DA’s 60-day ban or restrictions on pork imports covers fresh, chilled, and frozen swine meat, such as carcasses and half-carcasses; hams, shoulders, and cuts thereof, with bone in; fresh, chilled, and frozen edible pork offals.
While Pangilinan welcomed the measure, he also called on the DA to closely monitor farmgate prices during the restriction and assess whether the 60-day period would be sufficient for hog raisers to recover.
He said the government should be prepared to extend or introduce additional measures if farmgate prices remain below production costs, while ensuring that pork remains affordable and accessible to Filipino consumers.
“The ultimate goal is to protect both our producers and consumers. Kailangan nating siguraduhin na kumikita nang maayos ang ating mga magbababoy habang ang pamilyang Pilipino naman ay nakakayanang bumili nito sa merkado,” he added.