DA XII’s RED Mangelen: No pork shortage in Region XII
“Walang shortage ng baboy sa Region XII. Bakit ang mahal ng benta sa merkado?” questioned Department of Agriculture XII’s Regional Executive Director (RED) Arlan Mangelen, while on a short conversation with some meat concessionaires during Regional Bantay Presyo Monitoring Team’s regular price monitoring inspection at Koronadal City Public Market.
RED Mangelen’s statement is the same dilemma that affects consumers and meat vendors in the city – the rise of meat prices that affected the local market since December 2020.
Since African Swine Fever ravaged the hog industry in most parts of the country Region XII has mainly supplied hogs through Greater Manila Area to cater the demand as it successfully spared itself from the disease.
Upon price inspection, poultry and fish are expected to follow a slight increase since these are alternatives to meat. Vegetable prices, however, have maintained or even went below the suggested retail price (SRP).
DA XII will identify the names of hog raisers and suppliers found out to be manipulating prices at unreasonable rates and apply appropriate sanctions. The office has also offered the meat vendors meat supply at a much lower cost through Kadiwa ni Ani Program.
The city market committee has yet to hold a dialogue with hog growers and market cooperatives to stabilize pork prices at a local level.