Amid the high prices of pork in local markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday bared plans to make cheaper pork available to more Filipinos through its Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) sites.

“In a way, yes. Pero iyong balak namin (But our intention) is not to compete with the retailers,” DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a press conference when asked if the cheaper pork will be available for all.

Tiu Laurel said he expects the move to help lessen inflationary pressures on pork, starting on the first week of August.

“Hindi iyan pang minimum wage earners lang. It's para sa lahat yan. Basta pumunta sila sa tindahan na iyon, makakabili sila. (It’s not only for minimum wage earners. It’s for all. Just go to our stalls, they can buy). While supplies last, of course,” Tiu Laurel said.

In terms of prices, he said it is cheaper because of government intervention in terms of slashing logistics or middlemen costs.

“Ang FTI (Food Terminal Inc.) diretso bibili sa farm, siya na rin magpapakatay at magdi-deliver sa outlet. So doon lang, meron ka na nakikita mga P50 pesos na pababa (The FTI will buy from the farm, it will be the one to slaughter and deliver to outlets. So from there, you can see around P50 lower price),” Tiu Laurel said.

As of June 13, the prices of local pork ham remain high at P350 to P430/kg.; while pork belly is pegged at P380/kg to P490/kg., according to the DA-Bantay Presyo (Price Watch).

Frozen kasim, meanwhile, ranges from P230/kg to P300/kg; while frozen liempo is set at P290/kg to P350/kg.

Tiu Laurel, meanwhile, said they also welcome the sale of imported pork in KNP sites in support of local sources.

The cheaper pork will be initially available in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao; as well as in 38 KNP centers and public markets; and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-accredited establishments and organizations.

PNA PHOTO