The supply of pork, chicken, and fish remains stable in Palawan despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, according to the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).
Provincial agriculturist Ariston Arzaga said that there was a slight reduction in the supply of pork meat due to the pandemic, but added there is still adequate supply in the province.
He also noted that the threat of the African Swine Fever (ASF) that emerged during the last quarter of 2019 has lessened along with the reduction of production nationwide.
He said that after the reduction of pork meat production due to the pandemic, the supply gradually recovered.
“Nag-reduce din yong nag-alaga kaya medyo naka-experience tayo na parang nakulangan tayo ng kaunti ng supply ng baboy. Naka-recover naman at wala naman tayong ASF na problema,” he said.
Arzaga also said there was an increase in poultry production in the province despite the health crisis.
“Sa chicken ay walang problema. Oversupply tayo ng 200,000 kilos nakaraan although nasa ECQ,” he said.
He noted that Magnolia chicken bought most of the local produce for distribution as food assistance.
“Ang bigay sa kanila ay P60 lang per kilo kaya nakakapagbigay ng kilo-kilong chicken,” he said.
He added however that local fisheries have suffered from low demand.
“Ang ganda ng harvest nila sa fishing natin tapos syempre kaunti rin namimili kasi wala rin hanapbuhay ang mga tao, mura pero wala rin halos pambili ang mga tao,” he said.
