100 roast pigs served in Tarlac to quell African swine fever scare

Lechon is served during a boodle fight in Tarlac City. PHOTO/Maria Adelaida Calayag

TARLAC CITY – To prove that Tarlac province remains free of African swine fever (ASF), the provincial government on Friday prepared a kilometer-long boodle fight and served lechon (roast pig) to some 2,500 people.

The occasion was part of the province’s “Lechon Festival” celebration that saw 100 roast pigs being served at the Maria Cristina Park here.

Alfred Ng, vice chair of the National Federation of Hog Farmers, said the event aimed to quell fears of consuming pork.

“Through this lechon festival, the public will know that it is safe to eat pork. ASF cannot be transmitted to humans through contact with pigs or pork,” Ng said.

The provincial government of Tarlac on Friday serves 100 roast pigs during their “Lechon Festival” to prove that the province remains free of the dreaded African swine fever. PHOTO/Maria Adelaida Calayag

Quarantine checkpoints have also been set up in key areas in the province to prevent the entry of live pigs from other provinces.