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Crisis often brings out the best in people, and this has certainly proven true for Philippine hog raisers. In the face of adversity, they have shown extraordinary resilience and unity, and it is through their combined efforts that the course of the nation's pork industry has been shaped.
In the latter part of 1989, while the Philippines was hopeful for economic recovery after the fall of the Marcos regime, a sudden and fateful event would shake the country to its core—a coup attempt against President Cory Aquino. This coup destabilized the nation and sent shockwaves through the economy, casting a wide net of uncertainty over businesses, particularly in agriculture. Agriculture, a consistent pillar of the country’s growth, was struggling to stay afloat. The livestock and poultry sector, vital contributors to the nation’s GDP, was among those hit hardest by the political turmoil.
By the early months of 1990, the crisis intensified, and the hog industry found itself in dire straits. Hog prices plummeted to levels far below the cost of production, and the situation was especially devastating in Mindanao, where hog raisers traditionally operated with independence from their counterparts in Luzon.
In the face of financial ruin, the South Cotabato hog producers reached out to their counterparts in Luzon for assistance, but even the collective support of Luzon buyers could not stem the tide of falling prices. The situation grew worse, and the South Cotabato producers were on the brink of collapse. At the same time, hog prices in Luzon also began to fall. The entire swine industry was deeply affected by the downturn, and the livelihoods of producers across the nation were at risk.
By accident, South Cotabato hog producers stumbled upon critical documents that revealed large quantities of pork trimmings were being imported by meat processors. Analyzing the data with mounting concern, they came to the conclusion that the unabated and massive volume of pork imports, compounded by the perceived instability of the country, was at the root of the crisis besetting the swine industry.
At this turn of events, Luzon hog raisers led by Nemesio G. Co, Loretta Galang, Linda Typoco Chai, Frank Ortiz, Jake Sta. Ana, Salvador Valbuena, and Antonio Tomlin made a journey to Visayas and Mindanao to personally witness the struggles of their counterparts in the South. They visited key areas such as General Santos, Davao, and Cebu, where they listened to the concerns and challenges faced by local hog producers. It was during these crucial meetings that they realized an undeniable truth: the only way to effectively address the challenges facing the industry was for hog raisers across the country to unite and form a cohesive national organization—one whose collective voice and shared concerns could no longer be ignored.
The leaders understood that the hog industry could no longer afford to remain fragmented across regions. The need for a national organization to represent the interests of hog raisers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao had become an urgent and undeniable necessity.
In response to the growing crisis and the collective will to unite the industry, a historic summit was convened on July 16, 1990, at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati. The summit was led by Nemesio G. Co, the president of the Philippine Swine Producers Association (PSPA), with strong support from key industry leaders including Andrew Gaston and Jake Sta. Ana of Monterey Farms, Linda Typoco Chai and Jesus Typoco, Jr. of Federal Agricultural Corp., and Gus de Leon of RFM. Also present were influential figures like Atty. Manuel Serrano and Mrs. Soledad Agbayani of the Philippine Association of Hog Raisers, Inc. (PAHRI), Gen. Jacinto Galang, Jr., president of the United Swine Producers Association (USPA), and Antonio C. Tomlin of the Cantonese Hog Raisers Association.
The summit’s primary objective was clear: to establish a unified national organization that could effectively address the critical issues plaguing the industry. The major organizations—PSPA, PAHRI, and USPA—agreed to fund and support the formation of this new national group, which would later be named the National Hog Raisers Group, Inc. (NHRGI). The organization was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, marking the be-ginning of a new era for the Philippine hog industry.
Following the summit, the newly formed NHRGI embarked on a blitzkrieg campaign to expand its membership across the country. In less than two weeks, associations from Visayas and Mindanao joined the national organization:
From the Visayas, the following groups became part of NHRGI:
From Mindanao, the following major groups aligned with NHRGI:
From Luzon, these associations joined the movement:
In a crucial move to ensure the representation of all segments of the hog industry, even the backyard hog raisers were included. Ka Louie Paterno led the Association of Small Farmers Hog Raisers of the Sanduguan, which became an integral part of NHRGI.
The NHRGI’s first significant triumph came in December 1990, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of livestock growers, exempting them from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. This monumental victory was a result of the strategic political and legal efforts led by National Chairman Nemesio G. Co, Vice Chairman Gen. Jacinto Galang, Jr. and Roger Sarmiento of Luz Farm who stood as petitioner. Together with their allies and the backing of NHRGI’s member-associations, they successfully defended the interests of hog producers, securing a landmark decision that would have a lasting impact on the industry.
The NHRGI hosted its first National Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits, which is now the largest and longest-running pork industry-centered event in the country. This convention is an important platform for knowledge-sharing, innovation, and strengthening industry ties.
In response to the growing number of associations seeking affiliation, the organization changed its name to the National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. (NFHFI), signaling its evolution into a larger, more inclusive body.
Reflecting the broader scope of its work, the organization rebranded once again to the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (ProPork), expanding its focus to include not just hog raisers, but also businesses that provide allied services to the pork industry.
The leadership of ProPork has evolved over the years, with several key figures contributing to its success:
ProPork remains firmly committed to its core mission of advocating for the welfare of the Philippine pork industry. But ProPork has grown beyond being simply a group of pork producers; it has become a vital guardian of the country’s food security and a key player in the nation’s economic health.
Through the efforts of its members—swine raisers, service providers, and advocates alike—ProPork continues to ensure that the Filipino pork industry remains strong, sustainable, and integral to the nation’s prosperity.
Through times of political upheaval, economic downturns, and industry crises, ProPork has remained steadfast in its commitment to protecting the interests of Filipino pork producers and securing the future of the industry for generations to come.
Email: porkproducersfederation@gmail.com
Mobile: +63917.510.0686
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