Paco Public Market in Manila (PNA file photo by Alfred Frias)
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has started a series of random visits to markets in the National Capital Region, monitoring the prices and supply of agricultural commodities for the holiday season.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Monday, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said they have been to some markets in Quezon City, like Mega Q Mart and Kamuning Public Market, where they found sufficient supply of fish, pork, poultry and vegetables.
Most vendors observe the suggested retail prices while a few choose to sell at higher prices.
“Karamihan sa ating mga basic agricultural commodities ay within range ng ating mga presyo nung mga nakalipas na buwan at nakalipas na linggo (Most of our basic agricultural commodities’ prices are within range in the past month, and past week),” he said.
“’Yung tilapia, bahagyang tumaas ng limang piso, from PHP140 to PHP145. ‘Yung itlog, may nakita tayong bahagyang bumaba from PHP8 to PHP7.50 per piraso (The price of tilapia, slightly increased by five pesos, from PHP140 to PHP145. We’ve seen slight decrease in the price of eggs, from PHP8 to PHP7.50 per piece),” he added.
De Mesa said there is also over supply of poultry meat and that an importation plan is already in place should there be a shortage of pork supply.
Meanwhile, a one-peso decrease -- from PHP52 to PHP51 -- in the price of rice per kilo was also observed by the DA.
Rice supply remains stable as 295,000 metric tons from India are expected to arrive soon.
To stabilize the prices of agricultural products in markets, the DA said it continues to help farmers in the production aspect through ongoing distribution of seeds and aid in the mechanization of production, and distribution of Rice Farmers Financial Assistance to qualified farmers.
It assures the public it will continue monitoring the prices of agricultural commodities and will work with the local price coordinating council for reports of over pricing. (PNA)
