THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to implement suggested retail prices for agricultural products next week.
DA spokesperson assistant secretary Noel Reyes said Agriculture secretary William Dar had already asked for inputs from the department’s bureaus.
Reyes made the announcement after the DA received reports that prices of chicken and fish remained high.
“Presyo ng manok, isda, hindi pa rin bumababa. Dapat bumaba na ‘yan sa pre-Christmas level. Mataas pa rin so marami pong nagsasamantala. Kaya naman kami, mag-iimpose ng SRP,” Reyes said.
Reyes said Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez told Secretary Dar that 1 percent of the 2.9 percent inflation rate for January was attributed to food prices.
Reyes cited as example tilapia grown in Taal Lake in Batangas. Production cost is only P65 to 80 per kilo and should be sold in markets for P100 to 120 per kilo. But in some markets, it is sold for P140 to 160 per kilo.
Reyes said prices of fish were expected to normalize soon.
“Off-season po ngayon ng mga iba pang major fishing grounds ng Pilipinas. So sa mid-February, mali-lift na ‘yan o end of February. So okay na naman. Babalik na naman po sa normal,” Reyes said.
Chicken, on the other hand, only costs P75 to 90 per kilo at farmgate and should be sold for at most P150 per kilo. But in some markets, it is sold for P160 to 180 per kilo.
“Hindi mo naman maikukulong. Ipapasara mo lang ‘yung establishment. Kasi hindi mo bibigyan ng permit. Ang merong poder noon, ‘yung local government unit. Ang DA, magbibigay ng technical advice. Bibigyan natin ng warning. ‘Pag hindi niya binaba, saka natin ire-recommend na ‘wag n’yo na i-renew ‘yung permit,” he added.
Reyes said fear of the African swine fever might also be a factor in the high prices of beef and chicken.
Latest reports from the DA show the ASF virus has spread to Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, Davao City, Koronadal City, Kalinga and Benguet.
In Western Visayas, the provinces of Negros Occidental, Iloilo, and Aklan already declared a ban to protect the swine industry. Antique also eyes to follow suit.
Reyes said DA investigators and veterinarians suspect the virus spread through undeclared processed pork products, transport of infected hogs and swill feeding.
Reyes also reminded hog raisers and traders that selling infected and double dead hogs is a violation of the Animal Welfare Act. (GMA News)
