Public advised to look for other fish protein sources as galunggong prices go up

Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Sunday advised the public to look for other sources of protein from fish as prices of galunggong, dubbed as the poor man's fish, have gone up.

In an interview with Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV, Dar said the public could substitute tilapia and bangus for galunggong, which are relatively cheaper but could also be a source of protein.

"Meron namang [ibang] mga sources ng protein, mas mura pa, 'yung tilapya at bangus. The same protein ay mas marami pa rito kesa galunggong," he said.

According to Dar, one kilo of tilapia costs P120 to P130, while a kilo of bangus is at P150.

"Ako mas gusto na bibili ng tilapya at bangus kesa galunggong. Wala namang problema ang tilapya basta maganda 'yung areas where they are raising it," he said.

At the Mega Q Mart on Thursday, not a single fish stall was selling galunggong because its price had increased from P150 to P300 per kilo.

On Sunday morning, only one vendor was selling galunggong at the Bulungan Fish Market in Parañaque City. The fish was being sold at P240 to P260 per kilo.

Department of Agriculture spokesperson Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes said the price increase could be attributed to the closed fishing season, where fish have started to lay eggs and harvesting is no longer allowed.

“At the same time, mataas ang demand this Christmas season. Twice as much. Pangatlo, malamig ang karagatan. So ang mga isda, lumalayo. Therefore 'pag lumalayo, hinahabol ng ating mga mangingisda. Mas malaking gastos, logistics cost,” Reyes added.

The rising price of galunggong may already be the result of manipulation by unscrupulous traders, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said on Friday.

To increase the supply, Dar said the government has already allowed the importation of 45,000 metric tons of galunggong.

Galunggong imports, he added, may come any time. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News