Quezon City: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday praised retailers for adhering to the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork in several public markets across Metro Manila. This move came after the DA implemented the pork MSRP on Monday to address the rising pork prices in the country, setting pork liempo (belly) at PHP380 per kilogram, PHP350 for kasim (pork ham) and pique, and PHP300/kg for sabit-ulo.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Constante Palabrica expressed satisfaction during a joint market inspection with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the Balintawak Cloverleaf Market in Quezon City. Palabrica noted that some retailers are even offering prices below the set MSRP, with kasim and pique priced at PHP340 and sabit-ulo at PHP295. He highlighted this as a positive indication of compliance since the implementation began just a day prior.

The pork MSRP, similar to the earlier MSRP set on 5 percent broken imported rice, is being enforced in public markets throughout Metro Manila. Palabrica assured that there would be an adequate adjustment period for retailers and the value chain before imposing any penalties. The pork MSRP will undergo a monthly review to determine whether to maintain, lift, or further reduce the prices.

Palabrica emphasized that retailers are complying without coercion and expressed confidence in the government's agreement with the pork industry. He stated that piggery owners have agreed to sell live pork at a PHP230-level, a price also requested by transporters. Previously, farmgate prices were set at PHP250/kg.

Retail pork prices in Metro Manila currently range from PHP340/kg to PHP410/kg for pork kasim and PHP360/kg to PHP470/kg for pork liempo, as per the DA Bantay Presyo (price monitoring). The DA had flagged earlier retail prices that reached as high as PHP480/kg as 'unreasonable.'