Iloilo: Increased hog and chicken production has helped ensure sufficient meat supply in Iloilo, with the higher availability of pork possibly contributing to lower prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Friday. PSA Iloilo Chief Statistical Specialist Jerry Dolutan reported significant growth in the province's hog production, which rose by 34.66 percent in the second quarter to 7,434.15 metric tons from 4,857.49 metric tons in the same period in 2025.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dolutan emphasized the positive impact on consumers, stating, "For consumers, this is good news because when the price is lower, the purchasing power of the peso is higher." In addition to hog production, chicken production also saw an increase of 4.26 percent, reaching 15,634.08 metric tons from 14,968 metric tons last year.

The increased meat supply correlated with lower prices in August, as shown by PSA data. Meat and other food products recorded a negative 3.7 percent inflation rate in Iloilo province and a negative 4.5 percent in Iloilo City. However, while meat supplies have improved, fisheries production witnessed a significant decline during the same period.

Fishery output decreased by 33.17 percent, dropping to 9,780.69 metric tons in the second quarter from 13,024.54 metric tons in the same quarter last year. Despite this decline, fish and other seafood recorded a 1.7 percent inflation in the province in August, down from 6.8 percent in July. In contrast, inflation for the commodity group in Iloilo City rose to 8.2 percent from 6.3 percent.

Dolutan attributed the decline in fisheries production to factors such as inclement weather and higher fuel prices, which may have deterred fishers from venturing out to sea.