Over 28 kilos of illegal meat, or hot meat, were confiscated from a store in Iloilo City.

Chemical was poured over the seized meat before these were buried.

The meat was seized on December 15, 2025 in Barangay Airport, Mandurriao District.

The meat did not reportedly go through the supervision of a slaughterhouse.

The owner of the illegal meat tried to reason out before the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) that the meat inspection certificate is set to come after. However, this is strictly against the law.

“Ang lahat na meat na hindi dumadaan sa slaughterhouse, tinatawag nating hot meat. May mga notice of violation tayo, na-check rin natin ang kanyang business permit at kung makitang may illegalities siya, ipapasara talaga natin,” said Maricel Mabaquiao, head of the Iloilo City LEEO.

From November 2025 to December 16, at least 90 kilos of hot meat were confiscated by the LEEO.

With the increasing demand for pork and other meat products during the holiday season, the LEEO will strengthen further its monitoring on stores selling pork. Inspection is done everyday.

Cecile Pestaño, a consumer, resident of Barangay Balabago, Jaro District is a regular buyer of pork at the “talipapa” (flea market) near her house. She said she makes sure that the pork she buys is of good quality.

“Ang binibilhan ko malapit sa amin, kilala ko naman. Kung hindi safe ang meat mo, magkakasakit kayong pamilya at we cannot (be) sure kung hindi mo kilala ang nagse-sell,” Pestaño said.

According to LEEO, buying at public markets assures meat quality because of stringent rules and regulations.

Pork from Lapaz Public Market, for example, bears the seal which means the product goes through the slaughterhouse. Vendors are able to present a meat inspection certificate.

“Kung hindi legal ang iyong itinitinda, hindi ka makakapasok dito. Sa harapan pa lang, haharangin ka na,” Arnold Juanico, a meat vendor, said.

“Sinisigurado namin sa mga customer namin para safe dahil kami rin naman ang babalikan kung sakaling magkaproblema,” according to AC Valenzuela, another meat vendor.