Uptick in bangus, tilapia prices due to transportation issues — DA

The recent increase in prices of tilapia and bangus (milkfish) was due to logistical concerns which are already being addressed, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

According to Agriculture Secretary William Dar, there were issues in transporting the supplies to Metro Manila from the provinces.

"Alam ninyo, itong mga itong mga tilapia at bangus, galing 'yan sa Region 4A, MIMAROPA, Central Luzon. 'Pag minsan ay may onti pa ring problema doon sa pag-transport nitong mga isda, so nadidistorbo 'yung mga pagpasok ng mga food supplies na ito," he said in a virtual briefing.

He was responding to the recent uptick in prices of tilapia and bangus in various markets amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

"Eventually mapa-plantsa na natin," said Dar, noting that the DA has already imposed several measures to address the unhampered entry of food supplies into Metro Manila.

"Noong unang pag-implementa ng ECQ, maraming nabinbin na mga food supplies galing sa mga probinsya. Mas lalo na doon sa mga barangays. Ito na 'yung naayos na natin," added Dar.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon from March 17 to April 13. It has since been extended to last until April 30 given the rising number of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Department of Agriculture (DA) already earlier stressed the need for the unhampered and unrestricted transit of cargo, especially vehicles delivering food and other agricultural goods, during the ECQ.

The government has since rolled out the Rapid Pass System, a virtual identification system aimed at ensuring easier passage through checkpoints for frontliners and other individuals exempted from the enhanced community quarantine. — RSJ, GMA News