Manila, April 22 -- More hog farms are welcome to join the "successful" pilot program of cheaper pork sales, the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, FTI President Joseph Lo assured timely payment to those participating in the program.

"The pilot test has been very successful... We are inviting more hog farms to join this program. FTI guarantees prompt and proper payment," he said.

Under the pilot program in partnership with Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CP Foods), pork cuts are lower by at least PHP20 per kg. compared to the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork.

CP Foods has been directly supplying 100 live hogs to a warehouse in Caloocan City daily, sla...