MANILA, Philippines – Hindi na kailangang maglagay ng price cap sa mga baboy, lalo na sa lechon sa paparating na Christmas season sa kabila ng epekto ng African swine fever (ASF) sa bansa, sinabi ni Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
“No, I don’t believe in price caps. Especially roasted pigs. Technically, it’s a luxury item,” pahayag ni Tiu Laurel sa isang panayam.
Aniya, bagamat may “minimal” price increase na inaasahan sa peak demands tuwing Pasko, ang bansa ay mayroong “stable” na pork supply.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a big increase [in prices]. I think increment, minor increase only,” dagdag pa niya.
Pinawi rin ni Chester Tan, chair ng National Federation of Hog Farmers, ang pangamba kaugnay sa supply stability ng baboy ngayong holiday season.
“Right now, we are assuring the public, this coming December season that we have enough supply of pork even for the lechoneros, [we have] enough supply,” saad ni Tan sa hiwalay na pahayag.
Aniya, nakakuha na sila ng forecasts, planning at paghahanda kasama ang DA sa nakalipas na dalawa hanggang tatlong buwan.
Samantala, sinabi ng DA chief na nakatulong din sa pagpapalakas ng stock ng bansa ang pagdating ng mga pork import.
“I think, we have enough supply. Actually, I was looking at the import numbers the other day, and [it shows that] there is 10 percent more importation of pork this year than last year,” ani Tiu Laurel.
Hanggang noong Setyembre 30, mayroong mahigit 517.85 milyong kilo ng imported pork ang dumating sa bansa mula noong Enero. RNT/JGC
