Malacañang assured on Tuesday that the government is responding to the increasing prices of basic goods in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Based on the price monitoring of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the price of tapadera and liempo as of January 18 has already been at ₱450 per kilo. The local Galunggong is also sold at ₱280 per kilo and Siling Labuyo at around ₱1,000 per kilo.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the DA is now working on cutting down the price of several commodities by importing pork supply from Visayas, Mindanao, and other African Swine Fever-free areas in the Luzon.
Roque added that DA is also selling pork in Kadiwa stores in partnership with hog raisers and is importing pork from ASF-free countries with increased pork volume imports under Minimum Access Volume (MAV).
Malacañang also reported that barangays are actively monitoring the ASF to prevent its spread. Livelihood loans are also available for displaced hog farmers. In terms of vegetable prices, the implementation of the suggested retail price (SRP) is strictly implemented while production is being increased through seed and planting material distribution. Expanding aquaculture is also in the works for Tilapia ang Bangus. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio
