By Kenneth Marcos 
In homes across the country, from breakfast tables to Sunday fiestas, meat remains a staple on every Filipino plate. But beyond taste and tradition, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is reminding everyone of a more urgent concern: food safety and availability.
Speaking at the celebration of the 32nd Meat Safety Consciousness Week (MSCW) and the 53rd Anniversary of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), the President emphasized the vital role of a safe and stable meat supply in the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
“By ensuring a safe and steady supply of meat products in the market, you provide Filipinos with the means not only to survive for another day but also to prosper and overcome life’s challenges,” President Marcos said in his message.
Meat safety = food security = nation’s strength
The NMIS, an agency under the Department of Agriculture, has long been at the forefront of ensuring that meat products sold in markets, groceries, and eateries are safe to consume. Every year, the agency marks MSCW to promote awareness among meat producers, vendors, and consumers about the importance of food hygiene, proper handling, and legal standards.
The President’s message comes at a time when the country continues to recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic, high food inflation, and disease outbreaks like African Swine Fever (ASF), which disrupted pork supply and affected many backyard hog raisers.
According to NMIS, ensuring meat safety does not stop at slaughterhouses. It extends to the entire process — from farm to table — including transportation, storage, market display, and preparation.
Empowering consumers and producers
With the rise of online meat sellers and wet markets in both urban and rural areas, the NMIS continues to intensify its inspection, monitoring, and information campaigns. The agency also collaborates with local government units to train meat handlers and enforce standards in meat establishments.
Among the safety tips for consumers:
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Buy only from meat vendors with NMIS or LGU-issued permits.
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Look for meat with proper stamps and no foul smell.
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Avoid meat exposed to flies, dust, or direct sunlight.
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Keep meat refrigerated or frozen if not used immediately.
On the other hand, meat vendors and processors are encouraged to attend training on meat hygiene and to invest in better tools and facilities.
Shared responsibility for a healthier Philippines
The President praised the efforts of the NMIS staff and meat industry stakeholders, calling their work essential to public health and national development. He also encouraged every Filipino to support local meat producers who comply with safety standards.
As the country celebrates NMIS’s 53 years of service, the call is clear: safe meat for all, from Luzon to Mindanao. A food-secure future depends not only on quantity, but on quality — and the commitment of every link in the food chain.
“Let us all continue to work together in building a safer, healthier, and more food-secure Philippines,” President Marcos said.
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