The United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) has again appealed to the Department of Agriculture to remove the price cap on chicken.
This is after the government extended the implemented price cap on chicken and pork for another month.
According to the group’s president Atty. Bong Inciong, the poultry farmers are not experiencing any supply problems so far.
He added that due to the price cap, poultry farmers may retreat further to increase production.
Instead, he insists that the SRP of chicken be increased by P65.
“Mas maganda yung agos ng kalakal at mas may confidence lahat, producer ka man, biyahero ka man o tindera, mas may confidence dahil hindi yung tinatrato ka na parang may ginagawa kang masama, naghahanapbuhay ka lang eh. Talaga namang nagmahalan na lahat,” he explained.
But the DA says they are unlikely to remove or raise the price cap on chicken.
Poultry farmers again appealed to remove price cap on chicken
“Kasi po mataas ang presyo ng baboy na surely pag mataas ang presyo ng isang item, pupunta doon sa other meat sources of item. Para hindi naman tumaas ang presyo ng manok, na-set na sa P160 in fact dati yan P120, P140 para hindi umakyat sa beyond P160,” explained DA Spokesperson Noel Reyes.
It will be recalled that the price cap on the price of pork and poultry was extended until April 8 in the face of its price hike.
At the price ceiling, the price of pork is P270 to P300, depending on its part, while the price of each kilo of chicken should be P160.
It was then that some groups appealed that instead of a price cap, the government should just establish a higher SRP so that meat sellers can be more compliant.
“Wala tayong magagawa, sundin namin kung ano ang gusto nila pero kung mataas ang presyo ng baboy sa pinagkukunan namin sa price ceiling na gusto ng gobyerno, siguro hihinto muna kami sa pagtitinda ng baboy. Kung ang ibang palengke magdecide na magpork holiday susunod din tayo doon para at least lahat ng tao magkaisa,” said Sante Piniero, pork seller at Tandangsora market.