00:00The San Juanico Bridge's maintenance will have a big effect on pork prices rather than big-time oil price hike.
00:06In response, pork producers are urging the government to speed up the bridge's rehabilitation.
00:11Our Charms Espina has more.
00:15Several groups of pork producers said the recent big-time oil price hike will not significantly affect pork prices.
00:22According to the National Federation of Hog Farmers Incorporated,
00:25a bigger factor is the limited vehicle weight allowed on San Juanico Bridge due to its ongoing maintenance rehabilitation.
00:33As we bring in from Mindanao and Visayas, lalo na sa Mindanao na dumadaan dun, instead of dalawang roro, nagiging tatlo.
00:43So additional cost po yun ng at least 40 to 60,000.
00:47So 5 pesos po yan per kilogram.
00:49Sa ngayon, kaya pa pong i-subsidize ng ating mga producer.
00:54Pero of course, hindi po ganun kahaba yung ating PC.
00:58We want to seek the help of Department of Culture kung paano po ang magandang gagawin diyan para po ma-maintain natin yung price, hindi natin mapataas.
01:07The group is urging the government to fast-track the rehabilitation of San Juanico Bridge
01:11so trucks carrying perishable goods weighing over 3 tons can pass through the bridge.
01:16President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had earlier mandated that vehicle weight capacity on San Juanico Bridge should reach 12 tons by December.
01:24If the DPWH fails to meet this target, the president will accept a courtesy resignation.
01:30Meanwhile, the Pork Producer Federation of the Philippines stated how the cost of pork inputs plays a key role for pork prices.
01:36He added that pork demand usually goes down during July and August, which is why the Farmgate price remains stable at 230 pesos.
02:05He also said that prices could drop further if supply increases in the next two months.
02:10The Department of Agriculture's repopulation efforts are ongoing.
02:14We are looking forward to the repopulation of the Department of Agriculture because that is the long-term solution.
02:22So that the pork is going to be lower, the price of the pork is going to be lower.
02:26Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tula Rel Jr. is already coordinating with the Food and Drug Administration for the commercial rollout of the African swine fever vaccine.
02:36We're discussing with FDA to fully accredit the vaccine.
02:41And we are also looking at two or three other suppliers to augment yung unang supplier na pinayagan mag-controlled release.
02:49The DA targets to implement the commercial rollout of the ASF vaccine within this year.
02:54This is Sharm Zespina from the National TV Network for a New and Better Philippines.
02:58This is Sharm Zespina from the National TV Network for a New and Better Philippines.
