MANILA – The public can expect a reduction in the retail prices of rice and pork in the coming days, according to Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro.
In a media briefing at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, Castro said the development was disclosed to her by Department of Agriculture’s Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.
“Sa darating po na March 31…sa ngayon po, ang presyo ng bigas kada kilo ay pumapalo po sa P49, pero by March 31 po ay aasahan po natin ang pagbaba nito ng P45,” Castro said.
“Pati na po ang presyo po ng baboy ay maaari po itong maibaba din po by March 10 sa halaga po…ang parte po ng kasim at pige ay bababa po between P350 to P360 per kilo at ang liempo naman po ay maibababa po ng P380 per kilo,” she added.
Castro said the reason for the decrease in price was because of the world price.
“Sa ngayon po, ang sabi po ni Secretary Laurel ay bumaba po ang world price. Kung nagkakaroon po kasi ng pagtaas talaga ng bigas, ito po ay … ang nagiging basehan, ang one of the factors dito ay iyong world price,” Castro said.
“Kung noon po ay may halaga po na pumapalo sa 700 to 740 dollars per ton, ngayon po ay bumaba, kung hindi po tayo nagkakamali ay parang bumaba po sa 400 or lesser, or 380 dollars per ton. So, iyon po ay isa sa mga nakikita natin pong dahilan,” she added.
Meanwhile, Castro said Malacañang also welcome the slower inflation in February this year, which eased to 2.1 percent from 2.9 percent in January 2025.
“The slower inflation rate for the month of February) is a proof that government’s steps are working to bring down prices of commodities,” Castro said.
According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report on Wednesday, the 2.1 percent inflation rate last month is the lowest recorded since September 2024 (1.9%)./PN
