KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) --  All pigs to be slaughtered and roasted for Koronadal City's "Pigdiriwang" festival will be free from African swine fever (ASF). 

There will also be no shortage of animals for the festivity, officials of the city government here assured. 

Pigdiriwang, Koronadal's version of lechon festival, along with the Kasalang Bayan, is a major event of the 22nd Charter Anniversary on October 8. 

"I assure you that all the pigs that will be slaughtered for the lechon festival will only come from Koronadal and will undergo proper inspection. All pigs will be processed at the slaughterhouse, not in backyards; thus, each will be subjected to antemortem examination," city veterinarian Dr. Charmelagne Calo said.

This means, he emphasized, "that all pigs that will be released for slaughtering are safe for human consumption." 

Meanwhile, Rucelyn Almerol, slaughterhouse master 3, emphasized that although many hog growers have ceased from raising pigs, there are still sufficient supply that the 27 barangays and all commercial lechoneros can use for the festival and contest. 

Koronadal remains a pink zone for ASF, which  means that it is in proximity to areas with confirmed ASF cases. 

Pigdiriwang consists of two contest categories, one among commercial lechoneros and another among  the 27 barangays. 

Commercial lechoneros, Almerol explained, will compete for the best tasting lechon.  After the judging, "they will sell the lechon to customers at lower prices," she said. 

On the other hand, the contest for the roasted pigs from the 27 barangays, besides the criteria on taste, will also be judged based on their presentation.  

Roasted pigs from the barangays will be served to their respective residents during the anniversary luncheon. 

This year's lechon festival is the 9th Pigdiriwang. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic no Pigdiriwang Festivals were held in 2020 and 2021. (PIA XII)