DA: No control over lechon prices

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Agriculture has no jurisdiction over the selling price of roast pig or lechon following reports that the retail price had increased by 30 percent amid higher demand during the holidays, a ranking DA official said yesterday.

In an interview with The STAR, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said that what the DA can assure is the steady supply of pork.

“Lechon is already processed so it is no longer within our jurisdiction. It was already bought and cooked. It’s like ham, which is already under the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry),” De Mesa said.

De Mesa added that the DA only monitors the farmgate and retail prices of pork in the farms and the markets.

Based on monitoring of the DA, the retail price of pork shoulder ranged between P290 and P370 per kilo and pork belly, between P330 and P400 per kilo.

He said the demand for lechon and ham has increased amid the preparations for the holidays.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has said that the DA has no plan to implement a price cap on lechon, saying that roast pig is technically a luxury item.

Meanwhile, De Mesa gave assurance of enough supply of agricultural products despite successive typhoons in the last quarter.

“In terms of volume, we have no problem,” he said.

Based on DA’s monitoring, the retail price of whole chicken ranged between P175 and P240 per kilo; beef rump, between P410 and P490 per kilo; beef brisket, between P320 and P460 per kilo; medium-sized egg, between P6.50 and P8 per kilo.