DA mulls imposing price controls on pork

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture is studying the possibility of imposing price controls on pork now that retail prices have gone up to unreasonable levels.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap admitted that the current retail prices of pork are unreasonable and without basis, confirming the allegation of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI).

Farm gate prices for pork have been going down but instead of bringing down retail prices, the opposite has happened.

Actual farm gate prices currently range from P78 to P82 per kilo, but according to NFHFI president Albert Lim Jr., the wet markets are selling at P150 to P175 per kilo.

“That is an increase of 100 percent so who is profiting from this? I think that the retail price is without basis,” Yap said.

He said that an administrative hearing would be called to look at the supply chain in order to ensure a stable supply of pork during the Yuletide season at prices that are reasonable.

Yap said that the problem most likely lies with the transporters and retailers.

“So our answer is we have to see how the Price Act can now be utilized to protect our consumers,” Yap said.

Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act allows for the imposition of mandated price ceilings on any or all of the products that fall under the list of basic necessities and prime commodities when there is impendency/threat, existence or effects of a calamity or emergency or any event that causes artificial or unreasonable increase in prices; or whenever the prevailing prices have risen to unreasonable levels.

This would be recommended by the Price Coordinating Council or the implementing agency and shall require the approval of the President.

Yap said that the prices of pork should be brought down to reasonable levels within the month.

Apart from pork, Yap said that the DA would come out with suggested retail prices for other products which they deem are priced unreasonably.  – Marvin Sy