Stephen Castillo, general manager of Matutum Meat Packing Corp. based in nearby Polomolok, South Cotabato, said they are still waiting for the arrival of Singaporean experts who will follow up on the status of the swine industry in the region.

Matutum Meat is one of two Mindanao pork meat processing firms tapped by the Department of Agriculture early this year to embark on the country's first foreign shipment of cut pork parts.

The other is the Nenita Quality Foods Corp. based in the Davao region.

"Singapore has yet to conduct a final audit on the condition of swine farms and processing plants. We have not been notified when they would come. Maybe they still have many schedules in other parts of the world," Castillo said.

"They would not issue (export) certification unless they will again visit the area," he added.

Singaporean experts arrived in Mindanao last year to initially assess the condition of the swine industry in the area.

Castillo expressed confidence the newly constructed plant of Matutum Meat will pass the rigid standards of Singapore.