Manila, June 16 -- Amid the high prices of pork in local markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday bared plans to make cheaper pork available to more Filipinos through its Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) sites.

"In a way, yes. Pero iyong balak namin (But our intention) is not to compete with the retailers," DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a press conference when asked if the cheaper pork will be available for all.

Tiu Laurel said he expects the move to help lessen inflationary pressures on pork, starting on the first week of August.

"Hindi iyan pang minimum wage earners lang. It's para sa lahat yan. Basta pumunta sila sa tindahan na iyon, makakabili sila. (It's not only for minimum wage earners. It's for all. Just go ...