The alleged verdict of the vendors in the almost 2-month implementation of the price cap on the price of pork and chicken in Metro Manila is not effective because it is not being followed.
The sellers think that the price per kilo of pork will return to more than P400 when the implementation of the price ceiling expires on April 8.
“Malamang siguro aabot nang ganoon kasi kulang nga po sa supply kasi madami pang hindi nag-aalaga,” said Ferdinand Gorbin, pork vendor.
“Tataas talaga po kasi tumataas ang puhunan ng baboy. Mataas din ang kuha namin,” he said.
As a result, the Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to implement the suggested retail price (SRP) for pork and poultry in Metro Manila and other nearby regions.
“Ang instructions ni Secretary [William Dar], pag-aralan ‘yong imposition ng SRP after noong price ceiling ‘pag naglapse na ‘yong 60 days,” said Agriculture Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes.
“Pinag-aaralan kung i-include ‘yong kalapit region, Region 3, 4-A, ‘yong malapit sa Metro Manila,” said Reyes.
SRP on pork, poultry in Metro Manila, neighboring provinces studied
Hog raisers are more in favor of SRP than price cap.
“‘Yong SRP ika nga, puwedeng masunod, puwedeng hindi. ‘Di katulad ng price ceiling, ‘pag lumapas ka sa presyong ‘yon, puwede ka nang hulihin. ‘Yong SRP, suggestion lang ‘yan,” said Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Vice President Nicanor Briones.
But they are not in favor of the DA’s plan to conduct a trial of antiviral compounds to be sprayed on pigs to prevent African swine fever.
It is said that there is no certainty whether the compounds will help eradicate the deadly swine disease.
“Kahit kaming magbababoy, ‘di namin te-testing-in ‘yan dahil kung walang malinaw na kasiguruhan na ‘yan ay makakapigil o makakagaling sa African swine fever,” said Briones.
According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), vaccines and border facilities or testing of incoming products should be the main focus of the DA.
“Nakita naman natin for the past how many years eh sinubukan na ng mga scientist to test many compound,” said Sinag Chairman Rosendo So.