ILOILO City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday issued a memorandum circular expanding the coverage of the price freeze policy that includes enforcement of the suggested retail price (SRP) scheme in urban markets nationwide.
The expanded price freeze includes major types of rice (imported, local and NFA), local roundscad or galunggong, pork liempo, chicken egg (medium), and cooking oil.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the expansion of the list “forms part of our continuing efforts to ensure availability of basic commodities at reasonable prices” in markets nationwide.
Dar also warned to “apprehend and file cases against price freeze violators.”
The expanded list of basic agri-fishery commodities and their respective price per kilogram (kg) includes:
* Milkfish (cage-cultured) – P162
* Tilapia (pond-cultured, fresh-chilled) – P120
* Roundscad or galunggong (imported) – P130
* Pork (pigue/kasim) – P190
* Chicken (whole) – P130
* Sugar (refined) – P50
* Sugar (brown) – P45
* Red onion (fresh) – P95
* Garlic (fresh, imported) – P70
* Garlic (fresh, local) – P120
* Rice (imported): special – P51; premium – P42; well-milled – P40; and regular – P39;
* Rice (local): special – P53; premium – P45; well-milled – P40; regular – P33;
* NFA rice, regular-milled – P27
* Roundscad / galunggong (local) – P130
* Pork (liempo) – P225
* Chicken egg (medium) – P6.50/piece
* Cooking oil (30ml) – P24
* Cooking oil (1 liter) P50
Meanwhile, DA Western Visayas is assuring the public that price monitoring through its Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCC) is strictly implemented.
“Ongoing ang aton pag-monitor and as of now, wala pa man sang reports nga may nag[pa]saka sang presyo,” James Earl Ogatis, regional information officer of DA Field Unit 6, told Panay News.
Under the Price Act, the government shall ensure availability of basic and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying business entities earn a fair profit./PN
