DA TO SOURCE PORK FROM VisMin REGION

Regional executive directors (REDs) of the Department of Agriculture from Visayas and Mindanao are to source surplus supply or pork from hog producers to counter the rising pork prices that led to a presidential directive to cap prices.

This was the order that Agriculture Secretary William Dar issued to the REDs as he urged them to lead in the negotiations with hog producers and logistics partners to bring the surplus supply from Visayas and Mindanao and ASF-free areas or ‘green zones’ in Luzon to major public markets in Metro Manila.

“We have to map-out sources of hogs, lead the negotiations between farmers and traders, and facilitate documentary requirements such as certifications and local transport permits so we can bring in cheaper hogs and pork products immediately to Metro Manila,” he said.

The respective regional directors were also tasked to lead their agribusiness, marketing, and Kadiwa teams — in partnership with other DA bureaus, agencies, and corporations — in the procurement and transport of hogs and pork-in-a-box to Metro Manila.

“We need to mobilize available resources in transporting hogs, and other meat products including reefer vans, trucks, vessels, cold storages,” he said, noting that regional offices are allowed to use/realign DA funds to purchase and transport hogs from regions to Metro Manila.

On February 1, 2021, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued EO 124, imposing a price ceiling on pork and chicken — at ₱270/kg for kasim/pigue, ₱300/kg for liempo, and ₱160/kg for dressed chicken — for a period of 60 days in Metro Manila public markets.

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