Pork prices hit P300 per kilo in some markets in Palawan

The price of pork in several public markets in Palawan hit P300 per kilo due to the exportation of meat to the National Capital Region (NCR) causing a shortage of supply in the province, according to local meat vendors.

Eleanor Quiamco, whose main livelihood is her meat stall in Narra Public Market, said that there has been a constant price hike due to the huge volume of orders from Metro Manila.

“Ang normal eh P230 per kilo. Tapos naging P270, ngayon dahil marami pa rin ang kumukuha sa Manila, nagkakaubusan na halos ng supply. Limited na, kaya kinakailangan din nating tumaas ng P300 per kilo,” Quiamco said.

She added that there have been a shortage of meat supply not only in Narra but in neighboring towns of Quezon as well as in the city of Puerto Princesa.

“Tagal nang may shortage, last week ng December hirap na kami. Kung hindi namin itinaas ang live, Puerto na lang ang nakakakuha ng baboy. Dami nga sa amin hindi makatinda, hirap kami sa baboy,” Quiamco said.

Michelle Gabo, a housewife and a mother of three kids in Puerto Princesa, expressed her sentiments on the continuous price hike of commodities in the market.

“Taasan na lang ng taasan. Ang baboy P300 per kilo, ang mga isda ganoon na din. Manok na lang ang medyo affordable pa, mabuti na lang ‘yung mga bata eh hindi mapili sa pagkain kahit gulay lang kakain sila,” Gabo said.

She regularly buys home supplies in the market and her husband works for a local machine shop located in the city.

“Sa budget lang medyo madugo, kasi kailangan strict and tight and mga gastusin. Bills pa, buti na lang ngayon hindi na kami nagrerenta ng bahay,” Gabo said.

Despite the ramping up of importation, pork prices will most likely remain at P300 per kilo according to Quiamco.

“Hindi na siguro (tataas), itinaas na naman nga ng Puerto, noong pinantayan namin sila pero hindi na kami maghahabol sa presyo nila,” Quiamco said.

However, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) MIMAROPA has recently issued a price freeze for basic necessities and prime commodities that will last until February 19, unless sooner lifted by President Rodrigo Duterte. DTI MIMAROPA also issued a list of suggested retail price (SRP) that vendors and suppliers should follow.