Local meat distributors seek Gwen’s help vs Luzon buyers

CEBU, Philippines — Local distributors of beef, carabeef (carabao meat), and goat meat have expressed their dismay as most of the animals, according to them, are being bought by buyers from Luzon, leaving them little to distribute to different markets in Cebu.

Because of this, they are asking Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to remedy the situation since small-scale businesses are reportedly being affected.

Vic Pagador, a distributor of meat in Cebu, said businessmen from Manila are sourcing their supply of these meats in Cebu, which in turn has caused a scarcity of supply for local businessmen.

“These buyers are based in Manila and they are buying animals from Cebu. We, small businessmen, would like to air our concern to the governor because there might come a time when there will be no cows, goats, and carabaos for local consumption,” he told The FREEMAN in Cebuano.

Pagador said these Manila buyers send their representatives to the auction markets in Cebu, such as the one in Mantalongon, Barili and  the one in Bogo.

Pagador added that because of the scarce supply of these animals, their prices have also correspondingly gone up.

He said that the usual price of P200 per kilo per live animal has now gone up to P210. As for Manila buyers, they allegedly buy the live animals at P270 per kilo, which the local buyers can no longer top.

As a result, the animals from Cebu end up being shipped to Manila, while local distributors are left with little supply to sell at different markets in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, among others.

“We hope this situation will be acted upon. Cebu businessmen and consumers must be prioritized,” Pagador said.

He said all the more reason that the situation needs to be corrected since the Christmas season is coming, and the demand for meat and meat products is expected to soar. — JMD (FREEMAN)