The Department of Agriculture (DA) reminds retailers to comply with the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork, as the latest data show that only 20–25 percent of markets in the National Capital Region (NCR) follow the MSRP set at P300 per kilo (kg)for freshly slaughtered carcass, P350/kg for pigue (leg/ham) and kasim (shoulder), and P380/kg for liempo (pork belly).
Following inspections of more than 10 markets conducted jointly by the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs, Atty. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, explained that operational concerns are among the reasons why some retailers are unable to comply.
“May mga retailer pa rin na hindi makasunod sa MSRP na Php350 for kasim pigue, Php380 for liempo, meron kasing difference iyong price ng biyahero na retailer din at, iyong mga purely retailer lang na sa kanila lang din humahango,” she said.
“Iyong sa industry, although sabi nung malalaking producer na nakakapag-comply sila sa Php230, nakikita natin, na Php250–P255 talaga iyong lumalabas na farmgate price, meron pang in between iyon, na mga ahente, kumbaga iyong mga nagkakalap ng baboy, hindi daw ngayon steady iyong supply,” she added.
Velicaria-Guverra also said that they are considering sending formal letters to non-compliant retailers, urging them to explain and take seriously the enforcement of the MSRP, which is being implemented to help manage inflation and rising meat prices.
In response to the low compliance rate, the DA and swine industry stakeholders renewed their commitment to strictly enforce MSRPs during a consultative meeting held last April 14, following inspection findings that fewer than 10 percent of sellers were complying.
As part of long-term measures, the DA is rolling out a Php1-billion swine repopulation program that will distribute around 30,000 gilts to large farms for eventual redistribution to backyard raisers, as announced by DA Undersecretary for Livestock Constante “Dante” Palabrica.
