Eateries, lechon sellers suffer as vendors go on pork holiday

Several eateries and lechon sellers in the capital region suffered on Monday as many meat vendors went on a “pork holiday” on the first day of the price ceiling on pork imposed by the government.

According to Maki Pulido’s report on “24 Oras,” due to the scarce supply of pork in wet markets in Metro Manila, eateries resorted to using other proteins.

“Mga seafoods na lang kasi medyo mababa pa ang presyo,” Evelyn Delas, an eatery owner, said.

Meanwhile, lechon shops in La Loma in Quezon City were closed.

The pork holiday was held on the first day of the implementation of the price cap ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte in response to a request from the Department of Agriculture.

Under Duterte's executive order, a price cap for kasim and pigue is set at P270 per kilo, P300 for liempo, and P160 for dressed chicken per kilo. The price cap will last for 60 days.

The DA requested the price cap due to soaring pork prices caused by African swine fever and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, Malacañang appealed to vendors to resume operations, saying government aid will be enough for them to survive.

“May mga grupo na nag-declare ng pork holiday, meron rin pong nanawagan ng pagkain ng alternative protein sources. Sinusuportahan po natin iyong panawagan for consuming alternative protein sources, pero nakikiusap po kami sa mga nagtitinda ng baboy na ipagpatuloy niyo po ang pagtitinda,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a briefing. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News