Amid plans to cap pork MSRP… PROTECT LOCAL HOG RAISERS FROM FINANCIAL LOSS, ENSURE FARMGATE PRICES REMAIN THE SAME – AGRI TO DA

AGRI Party-list Rep. Manoy Wilbert Lee has called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure that hog raisers are protected from potential financial losses amid discussions on capping the suggested retail price (SRP) for pork.

“Anumang polisiya na planong ipatupad para kontrolin ang presyo ng karne ng baboy ay hindi dapat ikalugi ng ating mga hog raisers. While efforts to make pork more affordable for consumers are necessary, they should not come at the expense of local hog raisers,” AGRI said in a statement.

“Bukod sa hindi dapat iasa sa importasyon ang pagbaba ng presyo, dapat mahigpit na bantayan at ipakulong ang mga mapagsamantalang smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators at mga kasabwat nila sa gobyerno na pumapatay sa kabuhayan ng marami nating mga kababayan,” it added.

In a recent dialogue, the DA and meat industry stakeholders agreed to defer the imposition of a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork for two weeks.

This period will be used to review cost structures and explore ways to lower pork prices without adversely affecting producers and retailers.

AGRI Party-list, which is running for reelection in the 2024 National and Local Elections, cautioned that imposing price controls without proper support mechanisms could lead to financial losses and unsustainable livelihood for local hog raisers, as it urged the DA to implement measures that would protect farmers’ income while addressing consumer and retailer concerns about high pork prices.

The party-list further stressed the importance of supporting local producers to maintain a stable supply chain and prevent long-term negative impacts on the agricultural sector.

“Nasaan ang hustisya kung ang mga kababayan natin na mismong pinagmumulan ng ating pagkain ay walang maihain para sa kanilang pamilya? Our local food producers deserve better, so we should demand better for them,” AGRI reiterated.

To address these challenges, AGRI has been advocating for legislative measures to support local food producers and alleviate the high prices of basic commodities, such as the Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act (House Bill No. 3957), Cheaper Rice Act (HB 9020) and Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act (HB 3958).

“When farmers, fisherfolk, hog raisers and local food producers—our ‘food security soldiers’, have sufficient income, they are more encouraged to develop their livelihoods. As their production increases, supply grows, and market prices decrease,” AGRI said.

“Mapapagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan sa pagkakaroon ng murang pagkain. Ang matitipid nila, maaaring gamitin sa iba pang pangangailangan, lalo na para sa kanilang kalusugan. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” the party-list added.