According to GMA News, DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup made this clarification amid reported complaints that some vendors are selling pork at high prices – up to P180/kilo.

"If we set an SRP [suggested retail price] now, there may be price adjustments when Christmas draws closer as demand increases. So at least for now, we will let market forces play and let consumers decide. Consumers can go around the market and choose to buy from vendors selling at lower prices," Mr Salacup said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Mr Salacup said the DA met last 7 November with poultry and hog producers, along with retailers and market administrators and representatives of consumer groups.

He said they learned during the meeting that since there was no regulation of prices, some vendors tended to sell pork at up to P180/kilo.

"Some of them had their own arrangements on stall rentals and deals with suppliers. That's why the price varied," he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Salacup said the DA expects to resume this week the release of veterinary quarantine certificates for imported meat.

He also maintained that the Philippines' import quotas of pork and chicken will not hurt local production.

Mr Salacup also said poultry and pork producers assured the DA there is enough supply of pork and chicken, even after the Christmas season.

"They assured us that even after Christmas, the supply of pork and chicken will be sufficient," he said.