BOAC, MARINDUQUE, Philippines?There would be enough supply of pork in Marinduque on Christmas, according to the provincial veterinarian.

Dr. Josue Victoria gave the assurance to quell fears of islanders that hogs from the province were being shipped out in droves to Metro Manila where demand was high.

Live hogs from Marinduque are usually sought by meat traders and dealers because the island has been declared free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Pork supplies in Metro Manila dwindled significantly because of successive typhoons that hit the traditional pork suppliers of Metro Manila in Luzon in September and October.

?What are commonly shipped out are the native pigs, which are made into lechon, and not the white varieties,? Victoria said.

Local hog raisers ?have enough stocks to supply the market,? he said.

From January to August, the provincial veterinary office recorded that 20,265 live hogs, including those for fattening and piglets, were moved out of the province.

Victoria warned, however, that local consumers should expect prices of pork and meat products to significantly increase as Christmas draws near.

He expected the price to hit P200-P220 per kilo. The present price is pegged at P180-P190.