Robredo urges DA to consult stakeholders amid resistance to pork, chicken price ceiling

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday encouraged the Department of Agriculture to hold consultations with stakeholders after resistance against the imposition of price ceilings on pork and chicken.

In her radio program, Robredo said that traders are saying they were not advised about the plan to cap rising pork and chicken prices.

“[P]arang nakakatulong na nagkokonsulta….Maraming negosyante ang nagsasabi na, 'Kapag ganiyan, hindi na lang kami magtitinda',” she said.

Last week some retailers and traders said they might go on a “pork holiday” and not sell pork once if a price ceiling was is imposed in Metro Manila.

“Ang nirereklamo ng mga negosyante,  hindi sila napakinggan. Ang nirereklamo nila, parang nag-price ceiling daw na hindi sila kinonsulta,” Robredo said.

“Parang sinasabi yata iyong dahilan ng price ceiling, kasi marami iyong mga negosyanteng nagte-take advantage. Pero ang sabi ng mga negosyante, hindi ito totoo,” she added.

While saying that she does not have the capacity to determine who is telling the truth, Robredo pointed out that a consultation may resolve the issue.

President Rodrigo Duterte last Monday ordered a price cap on pork and chicken for 60 days in the National Capital Region, as recommended by the DA.

Under Executive Order (EO) 124, the price of kasim and pigue should not exceed P270 per kilo. The President also fixed the price ceiling for liempo and dressed chicken at P300 and P160, respectively.

The price cap will be effective starting Monday, February 8. — BM, GMA News