DA to enforce pork SRP, warns of sanctions

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will begin strict enforcement of the maximum suggested retail price (SRP) for pork products this week, with Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressing disappointment over widespread non-compliance in Metro Manila markets.

The DA's guidelines set the maximum SRP at P350 per kilo for pork shoulder and P380 per kilo for pork belly.

Tiu Laurel identified Cartimar Market and Pasay City Market as among those selling pork belly at prices significantly higher than the P380 per kilo SRP, citing Cartimar Market for selling pork belly at P440 per kilo.

He noted an increase in compliance with the maximum SRP for pork, now at 40 percent, but warned that sanctions may be imposed if non-compliance continues.

The DA is considering asking Speaker Martin Romualdez to include the high retail price of pork in the investigation of the House committee on agriculture and food.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the rice industry successfully complied with the maximum SRP of P45 per kilogram for imported grains.