Dennis Gaviola

A man sits behind roasted suckling pigs on display by a street in Manila on December 7, 2022.  Lechon, or roasted suckling pig, is a popular dish in the Philippines especially during the holiday season.Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Lechon or roasted pig shops in La Loma, Quezon City have been slowly reopening following last week’s declaration by the local government that the district is free from African swine fever (ASF).Quezon City Business Permits and Licensing Department head Margie Mejia said 10 out of 15 lechon establishments had been issued lifting permits as of Monday, with more expected to follow.The city shuttered the shops on November 13 after pigs tested positive for ASF during a routine check by the City Veterinary Department — a blow that fell just as the holiday season was beginning to peak.And while the official declaration of “ASF-free” has allowed businesses to reopen, lechoneros are now wrestling with an even tougher challenge: winning back public confidence.“Mahina po, madalang pa po ang customer kahit December na,” said businessman Ryan Ferreros, looking over a shop that would normally be buzzing with orders at this time of year.“Maraming nagtatanong kaya lang di kami makasagot ng presyo ng baboy dahil tiyak ko mataas, tataas pa,” he added.On Monday, La Loma appeared noticeably quieter than what is typical for December.The roasting pits that would usually be busy were idle, and several shops had only a few customers — a contrast to the usual holiday rush.“Hindi ngayon maganda ang aming negosyo,” said businesswoman Corazon Delos Reyes, noting that the disruption came at the worst possible moment.<div>SLAUGHTERHOUSE BAN</div>Beyond the blow to public confidence, lechoneros are also reeling from the strict enforcement of longstanding regulations banning slaughtering within La Loma — rules aligned with the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection Service.“Nabigla lang kami kasi hindi naman gano’n kadali ‘yon ‘di ba?” Ramon Ferreros, president of the La Loma Lechoneros Association, said. “So, nagkakatay kami outside Quezon City, sa accredited na slaughter house.”He explained that this supposed shift has pushed their already fragile operations to the brink.“Mahihirap talaga. Napakahirap sa amin na i-shoulder ang added overhead expenses na ‘yan. Kung kumikita man kami ng 700, baka 500 na lang ngayon,” he said.According to Mejia, the rule is not new, and not arbitrary.“Kasi po ‘pag nagkatay ka, siyempre ‘yong baboy nandiyan, naghihintay habang buhay pa tapos kakatayin mo, pagkatapos i-ro-roast mo. Meron pong standards na sinusunod pagdating po sa distance between the pigpen to the slaughter house and to the roasting area,” she explained.Those standards, she stressed, are safeguards, designed to protect both consumers and the very industry that now struggles to recover.The local government has committed to assisting lechon businesses so they can comply with regulations and fully revive operations.

Lechon or roasted pig shops in La Loma, Quezon City have been slowly reopening following last week’s declaration by the local government that the district is free from African swine fever (ASF).

Lechon or roasted pig shops in La Loma, Quezon City have been slowly reopening following last week’s declaration by the local government that the district is free from African swine fever (ASF).

La Loma lechon shops reopen, but businessmen still struggling to recover

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La Loma lechon shops reopen, but businessmen still struggling to recover

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 01, 2025 05:38 PM PHT

Read More:

Quezon City

ASF

lechon

La Loma

food safety

City Veterinary Department

QC

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