MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday issued show-cause orders to retailers selling onions and pork above prescribed price limits at the Obrero Market in Manila.

The action followed joint market inspections conducted by the DA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Philippine National Police. Similar orders were earlier issued at the Mega Q Mart in Quezon City on Tuesday.

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this is only the initial batch of several show-cause orders, adding that more will be issued in the coming days.

“We know the market prices of imported onions, and our MSRP provides fair returns to sellers. The same applies to pork—our price ceilings ensure that every player in the value chain earns a reasonable income,” he said.

Retailers were flagged for selling red onions above the PHP150-per-kilogram suggested retail price (MSRP) and white onions above PHP120 per kilogram. Violations were also noted for pork exceeding PHP370 per kilogram for liempo (belly) and PHP330 per kilogram for pigue (ham) or kasim (shoulder).

Erring vendors have three days to explain the price increases. Their responses will guide the DA, DTI, and other concerned agencies in determining further action.

The crackdown is part of the DA’s intensified efforts to curb possible profiteering and anti-competitive practices, including cartelization.

According to DA-Bantay Presyo data, retail prices of imported medium-sized red onions in Metro Manila currently range from PHP130 to PHP240 per kilogram for local red onions, while imported white onions range from PHP100 to PHP180 per kilogram. Pork ham prices range from PHP290 to PHP390 per kilogram, while pork belly sells for PHP325 to PHP470 per kilogram.