00:00The Department of Agriculture is now looking into the possibility of placing a maximum suggested retail price on pork to lower its price.
00:08Meanwhile, the government is also investigating the possible consequences of overpricing of rice.
00:14The details are reported by Harley Balbuena of PTV Manila.
00:21The Department of Agriculture is investigating the possible consequences of overpricing of rice
00:28that resulted in extraordinary prices and led to the declaration of the Food Security Emergency on Rice.
00:36According to DA Assistant Secretary Spokesperson Arnel De Mesa,
00:40they are cooperating with the NBI to reduce the value chain of rice.
00:46The members of our committee have already ordered to investigate through the National Bureau of Investigation
00:53the possible consequences to the entire value chain, from importers, traders, wholesalers, to retailers of rice.
01:04It should be noted that because of the Food Security Emergency on Rice,
01:07the National Food Authority is allowing the release of the buffer stock of rice.
01:12It is expected to be released next week.
01:16When it is released, it can be sold at a minimum price of P35 per kilo.
01:22The DA also noted that the supply of rice is not the problem in the declaration of the Food Security Emergency,
01:28but its high price at the moment.
01:32Meanwhile, the DA is also studying the possible price increase of the Maximum Suggested Retail Price or MSRP for pork.
01:41According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Chu Laurel Jr.,
01:45the current MSRP of P380 to P480 per kilo of pork is questionable.
01:53Currently, its farm gate price is just around P240 to P250.
02:00The DA said that the price of meat is not acceptable if it exceeds P400.
02:08In addition, the entire value chain of pork will also decrease.
02:13If proven that there is a profiteering, the DA will issue an MSRP.
02:18We're currently studying that and digging deep in the entire value chain of pork
02:24to see if there is a profiteering or not.
02:29If we have identified that there is a profiteering, then definitely we will be doing an MSRP also for pork.
02:37The study is expected to be completed within two weeks or by the end of February.
02:42The DA will first consult all stakeholders in the pork industry, from pork farmers to retailers.
02:51From PTV, Harley Valbuena for Balitang Pambansa.
Comments