Prices of tinapa or smoked fish at the Malimgas Public Market have increased by P10, now selling at P70 per pack, up from the previous P50 to P60 range.

Vendors said the higher prices are due to the limited supply of fresh galunggong (round scad) in recent days.

“Mahal naman na kasi ang bilihin talaga, kaya mahal na rin ang tinapa. Sinasabi na lang namin sa mga bumibili,” Gertrudes Lariosa, a tinapa vendor, said.

Despite the price hike, customers continue to patronize the food staple, like Teddy Velasco of Barangay Lucao.

“Tumaas ang presyo pero bibili pa rin kasi masarap ang tinapa na ulam,” Velasco said.

According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), most tinapa now use imported galunggong, which is cheaper than fresh local fish.

“Continuous ang delivery sa mga market. Hindi natin nakikita na critical ang stocks,” SINAG Chairman Engr. Rosendo So said.

As of this writing, fresh galunggong in Dagupan City markets costs between P240 and P250 per kilogram.