Pacquiao wants to turn balut, salted egg production into a major export industry
FILE PHOTO A basket of balut or fermented duck egg embryo
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao proposed making the lowly balut and salted egg into major export products, making them world-class industries.
In his visit to Pateros on Tuesday, Pacquiao remarked that while it is only a small municipality known for producing the fertilized duck egg embryo, it can be developed to become a premier investment location in food processing and manufacturing.
“‘Yung balut saka itlog na maalat ng Pateros kilalang-kilala hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi maging sa ibang bansa. Parang exotic na pagkain kasi mga yan sa mga ibang nationality kaya dapat pag-aralan kung paano nating gawing major export ang balut at itlog na maalat, “ Pacquiao said.
(The balut and the salted egg are known not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. It is like an exotic food for them so we should study how we can make them as major export products.)
“Huwag sana nating pabayaan kahit yung mga maliliit na munisipalidad dahil malaki rin ang ambag nila sa ating ekonomiya,” he added.
(Let us not forget the small municipalities because they also contribute greatly to our economy.)
Finding a niche market for balut and salted eggs may not be that hard considering that the country has been one of the top exporters of eggs in the world.
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, an international trade site, the Philippines exported $43.7k of eggs in 2019, making it the 101st largest exporter of the product in the world.
In the same year, eggs were the 904th most exported product in Philippines.
War against corruption
In a community forum in Brgy. San Juan, Pacquiao reiterated his vow to “discipline” all government officials, and those who do not toe the line in his war against corruption will be arrested and jailed.
“Dahil sa katiwalian, malaking pera ang nawawala sa gobyerno. Paliit nang paliit ang revenue habang palaki naman nang palaki ang budget. Marami kasing mga appointed official na puro pagnanakaw ang inaatupag,” he said.
(Because of corruption, the government is losing huge amounts of money. Our revenue continues to decrease while our budget requirements continue to increase. Many appointed officials are just stealing money.)
“Gusto kong disiplinahin ang mga ito (corrupt officials) para maibalik ang respeto sa gobyerno. Kailangan ding magkaroon sila ng takot sa Diyos,” he added.
(I want to discipline all corrupt officials so that respect in the government will be regained. They have to have fear of God.)
He lamented that corrupt government officials make a business out of their positions.
“Ginagawa nilang hanapbuhay ang pagseserbisyo sa taongbayan. Ang mahalaga ay magkaroon ng righteousness at justice dahil dito nakasalalay ang foundation para sa tunay na development,” he said.
(They are making a business out of public service. What’s important is there should be a sense of righteousness and justice because this is where true development lies.)
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