DOA inspects Balintawak Market, finds vendors compliant with pork MSRP

Officials from the Department of Agriculture inspected stalls at Balintawak Market on Tuesday, the second day of implementing the pork maximum suggested retail price (MSRP).

Some vendors were found selling below the MSRP, with prices as low as PHP340 for kasim and PHP295 for sabit-ulo.

Undersecretary Constante Palabrica expressed satisfaction with the compliance, calling it a positive sign for the program's early stages.

Palabrica expects prices to decrease further as market forces take effect, noting that once some retailers sell at P380, others will follow suit.

The official also reported a decline in barangays affected by African Swine Fever (ASF), attributing this to rapid repopulation efforts and strict control measures.

Palabrica assured an adequate period for retailers and all in the value chain to adjust to the MSRP instead of imposing immediate apprehensions, citing consultations with the pork industry to assess reasonable cost structures.