Kiko Pangilinan seeks probe into 'cartels' manipulating fish price in Bohol 

Former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Thursday he wants to address the high fish prices in Bohol following his visit to the fisherfolk and market vendors in Tagbilaran. 

Pangilinan cited local reports on the alleged presence of a fish cartel controlling market prices, the involvement of middlemen, and the diversion of local catch to neighboring regions. 

“Kung may kartel na nagmamanipula ng presyo, kailangang imbestigahan at resolbahin ito agad. Dapat tiyakin na ang ating mga isda ay hindi lang abot-kaya kundi direktang nabibili sa ating mga mangingisda nang walang labis na patong ng mga mapagsamantalang negosyante,” he said in a statement. 

(If there is a cartel manipulating the prices, this needs to be investigated and resolved immediately. We should make sure that our fish are not just affordable, but also directly bought from our fishermen without excessive markups by exploitative businessmen.) 

Pangilinan added that he will push for the establishment of cold storage facilities to reduce the fish price as the local catch is transported to Cebu province for storage before being sold back to Bohol. 

“Dapat dito mismo sa Bohol may sapat na cold storage facilities para hindi na kailangang ipadala pa sa probinsya ng Cebu ang huli ng ating mga mangingisda. Mas malaki ang kita nila, at mas mababa ang presyo ng isda para sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. 

(There should be enough cold storage facilities right here in Bohol so that our fishermen don't have to send their catch to the province of Cebu. They will earn more, and the price of fish will be lower for the public.) 

Further, the re-electionist encouraged local governments to purchase directly from fisherfolk and farmers without public bidding as provided by the Sagip Saka Act, a law that he authored. 

“Sa ganitong paraan, hindi lang natin natutulungan ang ating mga mangingisda, kundi napapababa rin natin ang presyo ng pagkain para sa lahat,” Pangilinan emphasized.

(This way, we are not only helping our fishermen, but we are also lowering the price of food for everyone.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News

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