SINAG questions price increase of galunggong, other fish

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Tuesday questioned the spike in the prices of galunggong (round scad) and other fish despite what the groups says is ample supply.

Latest data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed galunggong prices in Metro Manila doubled at P180 to P280 per kilo from P160 to P260 last week.

“Dapat nasa P200 or P180 lang ang presyo dapat ng galunggong. Hindi na dapat tumaas pa doon,” SINAG Chairperson Rosendo So said in Bernadette Reyes’ report on “24 Oras”.

(Prices of galunggong should be at P200 or P180 and no higher than that.)

In Dagupan City, galunggong prices stand at P180 to P200 per kilo from last week’s P100 to P200. Other fish prices also saw an uptick including Bangus (milkfish), which currently sells at P120 to P150 per kilo.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said it is looking into further information for the price increase but said the recent rains are affecting the fish supply.

“Wala tayo nakataas na closed fishing season so tuluy-tuloy yung pangingisda ng ating nga mangingisda maliban lamang kung may sama ng panahon,” BFAR Chief Information Officer Nazzer Briguera said.

(We did not implement the closed fishing season so fishers continued working except during inclement weather.)

For its part, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is strengthening the country’s aquaculture industry. It also underscored the importance of the closed fishing season.

“In order to have more fish in the future, we have to control our harvest, and mag-time area closure talaga para bumalik yung sigla ng fishing grounds,” DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

(To have more fish in the future, we have to control our harvest, and implement a time area closure to reinvigorate our fishing grounds.) —Sundy Locus//RF, GMA Integrated News