PGMA eyes Iloilo as meat supplier to Manila

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved the immediate release of P10 million to help fast track the completion of the city's slaughterhouse and other needed facilities so that meat products here can be exported to Manila.

The President, together with her Cabinet secretaries, on Friday conducted price inspection of basic goods at the Iloilo Central Market and found out that prices of meat are cheaper compared with that in Manila.

She said the export of these products to Manila could help reduce the prices of meat there.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap estimated a big difference of prices in Manila and Iloilo City. He said once this plan is realized, Manila residents would benefit from the more or less P15-20 difference in pricing.

Yap explained that the prices of hog products in Manila ranged from P145-150. However, if these products would come from Iloilo, he made an estimate that the cost would only range from P130-135.

To ensure that the products would still be fresh upon reaching Manila, Yap recommended the utilization of a refrigerated cool chain.

Meanwhile, the President directed the DA chief to adopt the back cargo option as a solution to the high prices of eggs and vegetables in the province.

“Iloilo will ship out slaughtered meat to Luzon and Luzon will ship eggs and vegetables (back to Iloilo) on the same transport system,” President Arroyo said. ( PNA)