DA starts crackdown on SRP violators amid low compliance

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has begun cracking down on violators of the maximum suggested retail price (SRP) for pork, as compliance remains low at just 30 percent.

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Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said personnel from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) carried out inspections across various markets in Metro Manila.

“Almost every day, from April 11, 12, 13, 14, the DA will conduct market operations, especially in areas where the retail price of pork is still high. We monitored (high retail price of pork) in Manila, Mandaluyong City and Pasay City,” de Mesa said.

To address rising pork prices, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier ordered the implementation of a maximum SRP of P350 per kilo for pork shoulder and P380 per kilo for pork belly starting March 10. Retail prices had previously soared to as high as P480 per kilo.