The province’s livestock sector is not swayed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic nor the threat of African swine fever (ASF).

Dr. Loida Valenzuela, the provincial veterinarian, said Wednesday the province has more than enough supply of pork and other meat products this holiday season.

“Our livestock situation in the province is stable. There has been no price increase of meat products and eggs amidst the pandemic,” said Valenzuela.

According to Valenzuela, the province continues to supply livestock and poultry products of neighboring cities and provinces such as Tuguegarao, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Baguio City.

To augment the high demand for meat products in Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte also hopes to share a pie in the supply chain by bringing in frozen goods in the area.

Since May 2020, the Department of Agriculture-National Livestock Program (DA-NLP) reported around 213,500 hogs from Visayas and Mindanao were transported in Manila to ensure its city dwellers have enough supply.

In Ilocos Norte, the provincial government, through the Provincial Veterinary Office, continues to roll out its livestock dispersal program to provide an alternative income to farmers and at the same time, promote food sufficiency in every Ilokano table.

Meanwhile, chicken meat products are abundant with an estimated 43,345 metric tons of frozen dressed chicken ready for this season. The volume of production increased by 46 percent when compared last year, according to the DA-NLP report. (PNA)