The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) intensified its campaign against overpriced pork, issuing show-cause orders to vendors selling above the Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
On December 17, inspectors flagged a pork vendor at Manila’s Obrero Market. Similar orders were issued a day earlier at Mega Q Mart in Quezon City.
Price ceilings for pork
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr stressed that price ceilings ensure fair returns for sellers while keeping pork affordable for Filipino households.
The DA has set the following MSRPs:
- ✅ Pork belly: USD 6.40/kg
- ✅ Pork ham or shoulder: USD 5.70/kg
These ceilings, according to the DA, balance the interests of farmers, traders, and retailers while safeguarding consumers from sudden price spikes. Despite these price caps, monitoring showed several stalls continued selling overpriced pork.
Violations were noted for pork prices exceeding these limits, with pork ham selling between USD 5.00 and USD 6.80/kg and belly ranging from USD 5.70-8.20/kg.
Enforcement across the supply chain
DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, head of Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs, said that continuous monitoring is crucial during the Christmas season. At this time, demand for pork and other meat products rises sharply.
She warned that distributors are also under scrutiny to prevent profiteering and anti-competitive practices such as cartelization. Agencies will engage every player in the value chain to verify information.
Next steps for violators
Vendors who received show-cause orders must respond within three days. Their explanations will guide the DA, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Philippine National Police.
Ms Velicaria-Guevarra noted that more orders will be issued in the coming days as part of the intensified crackdown.
Mr Tiu Laurel vowed tougher enforcement as Christmas approaches, noting that “there will be no let up in our campaign for fair food prices, even during the holidays.”