Amid swine fever scare, Misamis Oriental holds ‘pork fest’ anew

Misamis Oriental provincial tourism officer Jeffrey Saclot (right) poses in front of a lechon or roasted pig with beauty queens from the province to show that pigs and pork meat are still safe to eat and not infected with the African Swine Fever. The provincial government hosted a ‘pork fest’ in time for the culmination of the 2019 Meat Safety Consciousness Week Friday. (Jigger J. Jerusalem)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –– Amid the scare over African Swine Fever (ASF) that struck parts of Luzon, Mindanao, particularly the province of Misamis Oriental, has so far been spared from the deadly animal disease.

To prove that Misamis Oriental is still free from ASF, the provincial government held another “pork fest” Friday to show that pigs and pork meat products from the province were safe for human consumption.

Part of the Provincial Capitol grounds was converted into a temporary banquet area as chopped lechon or roasted pigs and cooked and grilled pork meat were laid out on tables, boodle fight-style, and served to provincial government employees, guests and the public.

The event was held in time for the culmination of the 2019 Meat Safety Consciousness Week participated in by the province.

Dr. Antonio Resma, the provincial agriculturist, said they have prepared 25 roasted pigs and 125 kilos of pork meat cooked either as “humba,” a popular local dish or as barbecue.

“This is to show to the public that pigs and pork meat products are still safe to eat. So far we have not been affected by the African Swine Fever,” he said. /lzb

Workers chop lechon or roasted pig during the culmination of the 2019 Meat Safety Consciousness Week at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol grounds on Friday. The event was to show that pigs and pork meat in the province are free from the African Swine Fever and are safe to eat. (Jigger J. Jerusalem)