Will the 60-day price ceiling on pork and chicken products sold in Metro Manila be lifted or extended?
The government is set to assess the implementation of the price ceiling on certain pork and chicken products in Metro Manila before it expires early next month.
"Magtatapos ang 60 araw na price ceiling sa mga produktong baboy at manok sa Metro Manila na nakasaad sa Executive Order No. 124 sa unang linggo or first week ng Abril. Muli itong pag-aaralan o i-evaluate bago mag-lapse ang nasabing petsa (The 60-day price ceiling on pork and chicken in Metro Manila will end in the first week of April under Executive Order No. 124. It will be reviewed or evaluated before it lapses on the said date)," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday, March 9.
President Duterte ordered the imposition of a price ceiling on select pork and chicken products in Metro Manila to prevent the further spike in meat costs. Meat prices in the capital region have increased in the past few months due to tight supply arising from the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) on the hog population.
Under EO 124, the government set the price ceiling of P270 per kilogram for kasim/pigue, P300 per kilo for liempo, and P160 a kilo for dressed chicken. The EO, signed by the President on Feb. 1, took effect on Feb. 8. The EO will "remain in full force and effect for 60 days from the said date unless the same is extended by the President upon the recommendation of the DA (Department of Agriculture)."
Some hog producers have appealed for higher price ceilings but Agriculture Secretary William Dar appeared hesitant to heed such call in a bid to protect consumer interests.
Apart from the price ceiling, Roque said the DA has continued to take steps to ensure stable supply of pork in the markets.
He said the DA has offered transportation subsidy for hog raisers and suppliers to facilitate the shipment to Metro Manila markets. The government has also pushed for the increased shipment of hogs from Visayas and Mindanao to Luzon to boost market supply.
He said the DA also closely monitors compliance with the price ceiling as well as the flow of supply from production areas to markets in Metro Manila.
A food security summit has also been proposed by the Palace to ensure stable price and supply of food products. A "national food security plan" is expected to be crafted during the summit to be led by the DA.