CEBU City’s lechon dealers denied allegations of a scam in which they supposedly lop off part of the meat in their roasted pigs, even when customers pay the full price.
In a regular meeting with Cebu City Hall’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF), at least 30 lechon merchants in Cebu City denied a scam alleged by University of the Philippines Cebu City (UPCC) professor Cherry Ballescas.
“Asa man nipalit? Didto reklamo (Where was the lechon bought? She should complain there),” DVMF Chief Dr. Alice Utlang quoted the dealers as saying.
But two city councilors want the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to investigate the “malicious practice” of allegedly taking portions of a roasted hog, in effect shortchanging the buyers.
Councilors Margarita Osmeña and Alvin Dizon believe the practice, if it does exist, must not be allowed as it will hurt tourists in both the city and province.
“This dishonest practice of certain lechon dealers or vendors is not only illegal but also tends to put in a bad light, not only Cebu’s lechon, but the image of Cebu as a province and a city,” the councilors said.
