Batangas City is experiencing a shortage in fresh fish at its old market due to the effects of the southwest monsoon, impacting both vendors and consumers.

“Mahirap sa amin, walang panggastos, malakas ang dagat. Kapag humina na siguro ang dagat, ang alon [magkakaroon ng maraming huli]. Mahirap, [dahil] iyan lang hanapbuhay namin, pangingisda… tataas siguro ang presyo,” Nida Abanto, a fish vendor, said.

This scarcity is attributed to the strong southwest monsoon, which has made fishing difficult.

Evelyn Perez, another vendor, is selling bangus and dalagang bukid from Nasugbu and Agoncillo. She said prices of her goods range from P240 to P260. Despite the high prices and slow sales, Perez continues to sell.

“Ang iba’y namamahalan at kapag mataas ang presyo ng kuha ng pamimili, aydi mataas din ang pagbibili namin. Ang kinikita laang dine ay panggastos sa pangaraw-araw… nakakausod naman,” Perez said.

Eileen De Castro, an administrative aide at Batangas City's new market, said the severe southwest monsoon has made it impossible for fishermen to go out to sea. 

“Wala tayong galing Wawa, galing Simlong Calatagan, wala tayong ganoon dahil sobrang lakas ng hangin, malakas ang alon, hindi pupuwedeng pumalaot ang ating mangingisda,” De Castro said.

“Kapag ganitong malakas ang alon, ang tendency ng ating mga isda ay pumailalim… napakahirap nilang mahuli,” she added.

The challenging conditions are also taking a toll on local fishermen like Edmond Cueto who faces uncertainty about when he can go out to fish again.. 

“Mahirap kasing magbaba ng bangka diyan, noong Lunes (July 22) nga eh kami eh pahirapan pagtataas ng bangka. Malakas pa ang habagat… mahal-mahal iyan. Gawa ng bagyo, mahirap pumalaot,” Cueto said.

The ongoing weather conditions suggest that prices of fresh fish may rise further if the situation does not improve soon.