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MANILA • Filipinos are not allowing the coronavirus pandemic to prevent them from having a roast pork delicacy on their tables during the Christmas season, despite an impact on the disposable income of many.
Some people queued for hours and paid nearly double what a regular suckling pig, the roast pork that is a staple at Philippine holidays and family celebrations, would cost, according to a shop owner in Metro Manila’s La Loma district. .
A pig weighing about 7 kg would cost about 5,500 pesos (S $ 150) before the holidays, said Ariel Delos Reyes, co-owner of Mang Tomas Native Lechon in La Loma.
Mr. Delos Reyes said he sold 400 roast hogs last Thursday, about double the previous year.
Rachel Rafisura, 30, a homemaker, waited in line for two hours to buy a whole suckling pig for 10,000 pesos to serve on New Year’s Eve to maintain a family tradition since she was married seven years ago.
“The price has gone up a lot and times are bad, but my husband said that we should continue our tradition,” Ms. Rafisura said.
It’s for “good luck and prosperity,” he said.
The size of the Philippine workforce fell to 43.6 million in October from 45.9 million in July, and Bloomberg polls indicate that the country likely had the highest unemployment rate in Asia last year.
Government estimates showed that strict movement restrictions early last year had cost Manila residents around 2.1 billion pesos in lost daily wages, compared to about 700 million pesos under current quarantine measures plus soft in the capital.
“Lechon means financial ability, even if it’s momentary,” said Randy David, a sociologist and professor emeritus at the University of the Philippines.
Nearly 477,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in the country, with deaths exceeding 9,200. Meetings are limited to 10 people to contain infections.
BLOOMBERG
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