Agriculture Secretary William Dar personally inspected Metro Manila markets to see if the price ceiling imposed on meat and chicken products are being carried out.

He was joined by trade secretary Ramon Lopez, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Benhur Abalos, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos in monitoring pork prices at the Commonwealth Market, in Quezon City and SM Hypermarket in Mandaluyong City on February 9, 2021.

“Nakita po natin dito sa Commonwealth Market na sinusunod ang price cap. Ito po ay temporary lamang for two months. Nakikiusap po kami na magtulong-tulong tayong lahat na Pilipino at magbuklod-buklod, kaya natin ito,” Secretary Dar said.

During the inspection, he and Secretary Lopez jointly announced that the DA and DTI will recommend a P235 per kilogram suggested wholesale price for pork carcass or “sabit-ulo.”

He also announced that about 3,000 hogs, equivalent to 200 metric tons (MT), from General Santos City will arrive in Manila today, while supplies from Visayas are also set to be transported within the week.

“Alam niyo dito sa Metro Manila, we slaughter about 4000 heads everyday. But our mobilization efforts is pegged at 5,000 hogs daily, kasi we want to make sure na may sapat na supply,” Secretary Dar said.

Apart from the mobilization of hogs from non-ASF areas, he said there is an initial coordination with MMDA and local mayors in Metro Manila to revive and strengthen their respective Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCCs).

“Nandito din po ang mga private supermarkets na katuwang natin sa whole-of-nation approach na ito,” he said.

The agri chief said that the North Star, through CEO Tony Ng, has committed to buy live hogs, slaughter them, and deliver to different SM Markets (Savemore, Hypermarket, and Supermarket), Walter Mart, and public wet markets.

The DA, through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, has also set aside P500-million (M) loan for backyard hog raisers, and a P5-M credit facility for each organized market vendors’ association in Metro Manila public markets.

The DTI will also offer credit assistance to market vendors, added Secretary Lopez. Mayor Belmonte said the Quezon City government will issue an executive order for wet and private markets to waive rental fees for vendors. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)