Batangas town meat dealers, market operator agree to settle dispute

A group of meat dealers in Lian, Batangas, have decided to withdraw their petition against a farm owner operating a flea market in the town.

The petitioners agreed to settle their dispute with DV Boer Farm owned by Dexter Villain after the latter agreed to study ways on how to lower the prices of its meat products being sold in the market.

In their petition, the local meat dealers asked Lian Mayor Isagani Bolompo to close the market operated by DV Boer in Barangay Prenza for selling meat in lower prices.

The petitioners accused DV Boer of unfair competition and of allegedly affecting their income.

In a dialogue with the mayor, Villamin explained that the meat products they were selling are priced lower due to lower operating expenses they incur since the hogs are being raised by the community.

“Ang mga baboy po na aming tinitinda sa talipapa ay amin pong pinaaalaga sa aming mga kapitbahay na walang hanapbuhay at gustong pumasok sa farm kung kaya’t lumalabas na mas mababa ang puhunan dito (We let our neighbors who are jobless and are seeking jobs in the farm look after our pigs) ,” said Villamin.

Villamin expressed fear that more than 200 employees of the farm will lose their job if the market is shut down.

Apart from the employees, Villamin said DV Boer also helps the community by providing them capitalization for their livelihood through the DV Boer Micro Finance.

At the same time, he offered assistance to the petitioners so they could also raise hogs on their own and thus increase their income.

The dialogue between resulted in an agreement to settle the differences and work hand in hand for the benefit of everybody.  Marilyn Montano