DA sees 25% compliance for pork MSRP in NCR wet markets

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said that the compliance rate on the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork in the National Capital Region (NCR) wet markets has significantly increased two weeks after the price control measure was imposed.

“Nag-start tayo noong March 10, nasa 6% ang level of compliance… Sa huling datos, nasa 25%,” DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

The MSRP on pork, set at P380 per kilo for liempo and P250 per kilo for kasim and pigue, took effect on March 10. 

However, pork sold in supermarkets and hypermarkets is exempted from the MSRP as it has higher operating costs.

The MSRP was imposed in response to the challenges that the pork industry is facing, particularly the effects of African Swine Fever (ASF).

“‘Yung prevailing prices ay unti-unti naman nang bumababa. Ang kasim, ang prevailing price ay nasa P360, pero may nakikita pa rin tayong P420 sa ilang pamilihan… Sa liempo, dapat P380 ang napagkasunduan... Ang prevailing ay P410 pero may nakita tayong P470,” de Mesa said.

(The prevailing prices are gradually decreasing. The prevailing price is at P360, but we are still seeing P420 in some markets… In liempo, the agreed price should be P380… The prevailing price is P410 but we are seeing P470.)

“Magkakaroon ng investigation para makita kung sino ang umaabuso sa presyuhan… gagamitin ng DA ang mga pwedeng gawin na itinakda ng batas,” he said.

(There will be an investigation to see who is abusing the price... The DA will use the measures provided for by law.)

The DA is also looking to implement a “Pork-For-All” program in Kadiwa outlets and some markets in which it will directly buy pork from importers and traders to sell at a cheaper price, like the implemented “Rice-For-All” program.

The ASF outbreak caused the loss of millions of pigs and threatened farmers’ livelihood.

In August 2024, the DA -Bureau of Animal Industry began trials for an ASF vaccine to combat the spread of the animal disease. —Ted Cordero/ VAL, GMA Integrated News