Senate probe on high pork prices up
Senators are expected to investigate the unstable prices of pork in Metro Manila on 1 February to find out if there is a need to impose a suggested retail price (SRP) on pork products.
“A minimum wage earner needs to work for one day to be able to buy one kilo of pork. This is serious. We need to look at the rules on importation and updates on African swine flu because these are some factors that affect the pricing,” Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said during a radio interview on Saturday.
Prices of pork started to rise since October last year due to limited supply after the African swine fever scare affected local hog raisers.
Prices of port currently ranges from P340 to P450 per kilo in some markets.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food will lead the investigation with resource persons coming from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry and Bureau of Customs.
A minimum wage earner needs to work for one day to be able to buy one kilo of pork.
The Senator said private sectors like market vendor associations, hog raisers and chicken poultry raisers will be invited as well for the lawmakers to acquire a wider perspective on the issue.
“There should be a clear agreement and cooperation so that public services will be delivered to the public immediately,” he added.
While the Philippines is under a state of emergency due to the health pandemic, prices should have been monitored carefully.
Business owners could have their business licenses revoked if proven to have violated the SRP.
Price ceiling
Meanwhile, DA Secretary William Dar has disclosed earlier that his agency awaits the President’s approval, which will allow them to impose a price ceiling on pork products.