Meat vendors in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday have paused operations again, including those at Commonwealth Market, Litex Market, and Murphy Market in Cubao.
The vendors explained this move is not meant to rebel but to appeal for help due to losses brought about by high farm gate prices of pork amid the mandated price ceiling.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured there are supplies of affordable pork headed to the Metro. However, the hogs from Visayas and Mindanao were stranded due to Auring.
“Naghahanap po tayo rito [sa] Batangas, Bulacan, kung mayroon pa tayong mahahanap sa Region 3, Region 4A, and not only limited to Batangas but in clean areas in Rizal (We are looking in Batangas, Bulacan, Regions 3 and 4A, and not only limited to Batangas but in clean areas in Rizal),” DA ASec. Kristine Evangelista said.
Evangelista added that hogs coming from Visayas and Mindanao may arrive on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the DA now has a list of traders allegedly diverting hogs from Visayas and Mindanao to other areas instead of NCR.
“Mayroon silang meat shop silang kausap, nagkasundo sila sa presyo. But then again, those hogs are intended for the palengke [sa Metro Manila] (They negotiate with meat shops regarding prices. But then again, those hogs are intended for the market [in Metro Manila]),” Evangelista said. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
