‘P210kg hog floor price proposal gives Tabuk raisers a fighting chance’- Councilor Comafay

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — “Ngayong umaga ay nag-file tayo ng isang Proposed Ordinance. Ang pangunahing layunin ng ating proposed ordinance ay magkararoon ng Floor Price ang presyo ng live weight ng baboy na pangkatay sa Tabuk. Sana pumasa ang Proposed Ordinance natin para hindi na malugi ang mga hog raisers ng Tabuk,” said Atty. Errol B. Comafay Jr. in his FB Post this August 20, 2026.

The proposed measure by Comafay seeks to establish a minimum farmgate price for hogs produced and sold in Tabuk City, while also introducing measures on fair weighing, payment, market monitoring, and producer support.

The said proposal is drawing both support and concerns from residents, as hog raisers hope the measure could provide better protection against low buying prices and rising production costs.

Under the proposed ordinance, an initial minimum farmgate benchmark of P210 per kilogram is cited, based on the agreement reached by the Department of Agriculture and national hog-producer groups in November 2025 after producer prices reportedly fell below sustainable levels.

The proposal also seeks to address concerns over weighing disputes, payment practices, market information, and the bargaining disadvantage faced by small backyard hog raisers.

The ordinance's explanatory note states that hog raising remains an important livelihood and food-security activity for many families, but producers face rising feed and veterinary costs, disease-related disruptions, transportation expenses, financing costs, and other challenges.

The proposed measure has received positive reactions from some netizens, particularly hog raisers who see the floor price as a possible way to protect producers from selling below sustainable levels.

One commenter welcomed the initiative, saying: “Ikaw lang po talaga nakapansin sa Hog Raisers. Kudos po sa Inyo.”

Another urged Comafay to push the proposal, saying it could serve as an example for other municipalities.

“I-push mo dayta, apo councilor Pasiking ta bareng tuladen met dagiti dadduma nga ili! Nabayag idin nga maluglugi dagiti farmers, tiempo laeng ti election nga adda politiko nga mangdakamat dayta nga concern, no nangabakdan nagbalindan nga bulag ken tuleng!”

However, not everyone agreed that a minimum farmgate price alone would solve the problems of hog raisers.

One commenter expressed concern that a higher local floor price could eventually affect consumers, particularly if neighboring municipalities or provinces offer lower prices.

“Ti narigat dita apo maapektaran met laeng dagiti consumer nga kailyan. Nungay adda programa koma iti gobyerno para laeng dagiti legit hog raisers? Ta no dayta floor price iti mai-set, ket nababbaba iti kabangibang nga ili or probinsya, mapilitan da nga agangkat.”

Another commenter suggested that the government should also focus on lowering the cost of inputs, saying that reducing expenses for feeds and other necessities could benefit both producers and consumers.

“Maysa nga gandat mi ket jay maipababa koma iti inputs kadagiti baboy including buryas price, tapnu iti kasta nababa met iti presyo nga gatangen dagiti kailyan ngem adda latta koma kita dagiti hograisers.”

The proposed ordinance itself recognizes that protecting producers must be balanced with existing national laws on price control, animal health, meat inspection, procurement, and competition. It also provides for periodic review of the minimum price through legislative action rather than automatically fixing the price indefinitely.

The measure has yet to undergo further deliberation, stakeholder consultation, and legal review.

For Tabuk’s hog raisers, however, the proposal has opened a much-needed conversation: how can the government ensure that the people raising the hogs can earn enough to keep their livelihood alive without placing an unreasonable burden on consumers?