By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) is blaming the recent price hike on eggs for high inflation rates.

PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana revealed the price of eggs at primary markets in Bacolod City is pegged at P9.50 to P10.

Lemana said there is no problem with the supply of eggs in the province and in Western Visayas, based on the recent report released by the Department of Agriculture in the region.

She pointed out the price increase was caused by the domino effect of the recent price increases on basic goods due to a high inflation rate.

Lemana said egg producers in the province have pointed out that raw materials and supplements needed for raising layers have also increased.

PVO data showed that the province consumes 900,000 to one million eggs a day, compared to the daily production of 1.2 million eggs.

Layer farms in the province also supply eggs to other provinces, and also bring in eggs from the neighboring Bantayan Island in Cebu province, Lemana said.

Last month, Negros Occidental prohibited the entry of poultry products from the neighboring provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, and Aklan on Panay Island and Guimaras, which have confirmed cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu./With reports from PNA/DGB, WDJ