During this time of enhanced community quarantine, the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the DA Bantay Presyo Task Force and the Local Price Coordinating Councils, have enforced the Price Freeze. The list expands to include rice and other important food items such as fish, egg, oil, pork.
The Department of Agriculture on April 13 issued a memorandum circular on the Expanded Price Freeze that includes enforcement of the suggested retail price (SRP) scheme. “We included other food items commonly bought by households,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar during a virtual press conference at the DA central office in Quezon City. “The expansion of the list forms part of our continuing efforts to ensure availability of basic commodities at reasonable prices in Metro Manila and other urban markets nationwide,” He also emphasized that the current supply of major agri-fishery products is enough to meet the demand, and urged the public not to panic or buy more than their consumption level.
Price freeze for the rice includes the major types of rice (imported, local and NFA). The expanded list of basic agri-fishery commodities and their respective price per kilogram (kg) includes: Milkfish (cage-cultured) – P162, Tilapia (pond-cultured, fresh-chilled) – P120, Roundscad or galunggong (imported) – P130. Pork (pigue/kasim) – P190, Chicken (whole) – P130, Sugar (refined) – P50, Sugar (brown) – P45, Red onion (fresh) – P95, Garlic (fresh, imported) – P70, Garlic (fresh, local) – P120.
