ILOILO – Who’s afraid of pork? As the provincial government struggles to contain the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), the Provincial Tourism Office is campaigning for a “pork festival”.
This brainchild of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. aims to raise public awareness on ASF, according to Provincial Tourism Officer Gilbert “Bombette” Marin, pointing out the misconception that ASF is harmful to human health.
This misconception has made people averse to consuming pork, which in turn is further hurting the local hog industry.
ASF is not a zoonotic disease (does not transfer or infect humans), therefore pork remains safe to eat, according to provincial government veterinarian, Dr. Darel Tabuada.
But there is more to the proposed pork festival than just convincing people to consume pork. Marin said the governor wanted this not only as an ASF information campaign but also as an agri-tourism promotion primarily focused on pork-based cuisine that people may be interested to make as their livelihood.
Defensor is set to issue an executive order regarding this initiative, said Marin.
A food preparation demonstration will be a festival feature. Local food entrepreneurs will be taught, among others, how to preserve food especially pork, how to make ham, morcon and chorizo, among others.
According to Marin, the proposed festival is actually inspired by Balasan town’s Lechon Festival, and part of its objective is to help hog raisers whose businesses are reeling from ASF.
Also being eyed as part of the proposed festival is a cooking competition of local pork dishes such as lechon, adobo and estofado, among others.
The town of Santa Barbara will be the first to incorporate a “pork festival” in its annual fiesta on Dec. 4. Festivities start it on Nov. 27.
The towns of Tigbauan and Leon are also expected to hold their own versions of the festival on Dec. 15 simultaneous with the opening of their respective Christmas lights display.
Other towns such as Alimodian, Leganes, New Lucena, Oton, Pavia, San Miguel, and Zarraga are also expected to carry out pork festivals.
“Kanami gid. Nagabulig kita mitigate sang problem. Naga-ugyon ang aton LGUs. Ginahimuan nila sang tourism event in celebration of Christmas. So, timely ang pork festival naton nga ini,” said Marin./PN
