DA Reports 25% Compliance on Pork Price Ceiling in NCR Wet Markets

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced a noticeable improvement in compliance with the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork in Metro Manila’s wet markets, just two weeks after the price cap was enforced.

According to DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, compliance has grown from just 6% on March 10 to 25% as of the latest data.

The current MSRP sets prices at P380 per kilo for liempo and P250 per kilo for kasim and pigue. This price cap, however, does not apply to supermarkets and hypermarkets due to their higher operating expenses.

The policy was introduced to help stabilize pork prices amid the ongoing impact of African Swine Fever (ASF), which has devastated swine populations and disrupted supply chains.

While some markets are beginning to reflect lower prices—kasim now averaging P360 and liempo at P410—others still exceed the set ceiling, with some selling liempo for as high as P470.

De Mesa said the DA will launch an investigation into possible overpricing and take legal action against violators.

The agency is also planning a “Pork-For-All” initiative, modeled after the existing “Rice-For-All” program, which would involve direct procurement from pork importers and traders to sell more affordable pork in Kadiwa stores and select markets.

ASF outbreaks have severely impacted local hog farming. In response, the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry began vaccine trials in August 2024 to curb the disease’s spread.