Negros occidental: Some local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have set minimum buying and retail prices for live hogs and pork products to help swine raisers cope with the effects of African swine fever (ASF) resurgence. On Thursday, Hinoba-an released a directive issued by Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias setting specific prices in the province's southernmost municipality.

According to Philippines News Agency, this measure prioritizes the protection of hog raisers against unfair and predatory pricing while maintaining a fair and sustainable local swine industry. The prices result from engagement with stakeholders to support the livelihood of hog raisers and ensure a fairer market in Hinoba-an. The executive order stipulates that the minimum buying price for live hogs finisher is PHP170 per kilogram (kg), PHP200 per kg for hog carcasses, and PHP250 per kg for pork cuts.

Mayor Reliquias emphasized that no person, trader, slaughterhouse operator, meat vendor, or business establishment engaged in buying and selling live hogs, pork carcasses, or retail pork shall purchase or sell these products below the prescribed minimum prices. Last month, Hinoba-an received recognition for active surveillance on African swine fever (RAS-ASF) from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry, acknowledging the municipality's valuable contribution and support for preventing and controlling ASF through active surveillance.

Hinoba-an, listed as a yellow (surveillance) zone, was awarded the certificate of recognition on July 15, after its active surveillance in nine barangays on July 1 was proven ASF negative by the Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory. In Negros Occidental, the cities of Sagay, Talisay, and Himamaylan have also taken measures to help stabilize the prices of live hogs and pork products in their respective localities.

In the north, Sagay City has set the retail pork price at PHP270 per kg, while for carcass, it is PHP200 per kg. Talisay City, just north of Bacolod City, is enforcing a minimum farmgate price of PHP170 per kg for live weight, PHP240 per kg for carcass, and PHP270 per kg for retail. Down south in Himamaylan City, the minimum buying price for live hogs is PHP170 per kg, carcass PHP230 per kg, and retail PHP250 per kg.