DA warns Pasay markets amid pork SRP violations

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday warned markets in Pasay City amid violations on the maximum suggested retail price (SRP) for pork products.

The Department of Agriculture has set P350 as the maximum SRP per kilo for pork shoulder and P380 per kilo for pork belly.

“I closely monitor Cartimar (Market). They refused to bring down their retail prices. They can try, but it’s not correct. They are still selling pork belly at P440 (per kilo). That’s too much,” Tiu Laurel said.

He also identified Pasay City Market as among the violators of the max SRP for pork products.

“I received similar reports (in Pasay City Markets). They did not adjust. I call that profiteering,” Tiu Laurel said.

The max SRP for pork products took effect on March 10, as the retail price of the farm commodity went up to as high as P480 per kilo.

“We have ways to penalize them but it is still under legal review that’s why we cannot immediately act,” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA chief noted, though, that compliance to the max SRP for pork has increased to 40 percent, “from 31 percent 10 days ago.”

According to Tiu Laurel, he would meet with all stakeholders on Monday to review the compliance on the max SRP for pork products and to “sort out issues and problems” affecting the implementation of max SRP.

Tiu Laurel also challenged the swine industry to increase hog production by two million a year to achieve the target of six million additional hogs by 2028.