Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to meet industry stakeholders anew after recording a low compliance rate on the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on pork.
Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said that only around 20 percent of over 170 pork retailers monitored by the agency have complied with the MSRP policy.
“Kung hihimayin mo ‘yong compliance naman sa sabit-ulo, ‘yong sabit-ulo supposed to be P300 (per kilogram) ‘yong presyo, ang level of compliance is less than 10 percent, nasa mga 6 to 7 percent,” De Mesa told reporters on Monday, March 17.
“Kapag hindi compliant sa sabit-ulo therefore, mahirapan sila (retailers) mag-comply talaga doon sa presyo ng P350 to P380, so ‘yon ‘yong tututukan ngayon,” he added.
[Translation: But if you check the compliance in sabit-ulo, which is supposed to be sold at P300 per kilogram, the level of compliance is less than 10 percent, around 6 to 7 percent. If the MSRP in sabit-ulo is not met, retailers will find it hard to comply with the P350 to P380 MSRP. We will check that.]
The pork MSRP, which is based on producer cost, began on March 10 only in Metro Manila wet markets.
It was set for liempo (belly) at P380/kg, kasim (shoulder), and pigue (ham) at P350/kg.
A maximum suggested price for sabit-ulo was also set for P300/kg. Sabit-ulo refers to the pig carcass delivered to sellers, which they will cut up into portions each marked with corresponding prices.
De Mesa said it was better to have consultations first rather than police enforcement for now to iron out the issues.
The agriculture official said the DA is also planning to sell cheaper pork through the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) to possibly intervene with the high market costs of the commodity.
The DA previously said the price of the pork MSRP was agreed upon by all stakeholders.
De Mesa said the prevailing price of pork ham was P380/kg, while P420 for pork belly.
Kamuning Market in Quezon City, meanwhile, had the highest selling price of pork belly at P470/kg.
