Hog raisers complained about the farm gate price set by the Department of Agriculture amid the high prices of pork.
According to Nicanor Briones, vice president of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc., the agency did not consult them about the matter.
“Hindi kami pumayag diyan na mga presyo na idinikta lang ni Secretary (William) Dar ‘yan eh dahil wala namang consultation sa amin ‘yan kung kami ay payag. Lahat dikta! Kunwari siya ay makikipag-usap, makikipagkonsultasyon, pero meron na siyang dalang presyo at ‘yun na kaagad ang pinai-implement niya,” said Briones.
Chester Tan, president of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Incorporated, lamented the same thing.
“I’m sure wala pang nakausap ang DA sa Visayas, up to now I’m sure wala pang pumapayag sa Visayas pero nilagay niya na sa MOA niya. Itong Central Luzon, Calabarzon, P170, I’m very sure din na walang nag-agree ang labas nila dito sa kanilang memorandum order. No choice iipitin nila itong mga farm para sumunod,” said Tan.
The new memorandum of the Department of Agriculture lists the landed cost and transport support of pigs coming from each area.
Hog raisers oppose farm gate price set by DA
In Mindanao, the farm gate price should be around P165 per kilo. Those in the Visayas, Mimaropa, Bicol, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley, should have landed at P170 per kilo.
The landed cost in Central Luzon and Calabarzon should be P180 per kilo.
Agriculture Spokesperson Noel Reyes replied that they are in contact with hog raisers.
“Alam na nila ‘yan, nagmi-meeting na sila kasi para makuha nga nila ‘yung guidelines and paano makubra ‘yung transport subsidy. If they don’t agree, hindi sila kasama. Ayaw ba nila ‘yung makakabawas sila sa farm gate? Sila ang matatalo dahil ‘yung iba nakakapagbenta ng mas mura,” said Reyes.
It will be recalled that the government imposed a price ceiling on the prices of pork and chicken to prevent their prices from rising. At that time, the price of pork reached P400 in the markets due to the shortage allegedly caused by the effects of African swine fever.