Rising oil prices affect fish prices as fishermen appeal for fuel subsidy

Several fishermen and vendors lamented the continued increase in oil prices, saying that it has greatly affected the fishing industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alen Dela Torre, fish operator, expressed his dismay over the series of oil hikes as his expenses for his four boats increased to more than P200,000.

“Meron pong pailan-ilan na tumigil na, pero kung ito po ay magtutuloy-tuloy pa maaaring maraming mag-iistop sa industriya ng fishing,” Dela Torre said in Raffy Tima’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday.

[There are some who have stopped fishing, however, if this continues, many more in the fishing industry will have to stop.]

Meanwhile, several fishermen in Ilagan, Isabela have resorted to using paddles to save on fuel as they have not yet recovered from the pandemic.

“Yun na lang gamit namin, pallua [paddle-driven boat] kasi mahal ang gas,” Chito Guzman, Isabela fisherman, said.

[That's all we use, pallua, because gas is expensive.]

Fish vendors also expressed alarm about the oil hikes, which have led them to increase prices. From the previous P180 per kilo price of bangus and galunggong, it is now at P240.

“Habang tumataas po yung presyo lumiliit din po yung kita namin,” one fish vendor said.

[As the price goes up, our income also decreases.]

Janice Roque, carinderia owner, also expressed her concern for the increased prices of fish.

Asked if she will be able to sustain her carenderia, Roque said, “Siguro unti-unting gulay lang ilalagay kasi pati gulay mahal na rin eh. Nagtaas po wala na po atang mura sa panahon na ito.”

[Maybe I'll just add a few vegetables because they are also expensive. I don't think anything is cheap right now.]

The Amihan season may also contribute to the rising prices, as the colder weather will make it more difficult to fish.

Fishermen appealed to the national government to provide for fuel subsidy to expand their fishing operations amid oil hikes.

“Kung hindi man bumababa kasi nandyan na ‘yan, yung sinasabing subsidy ng gobyerno ewan ko lang po kung iyan ay magkakatotoo kasi sobrang hirap na po talaga dahil sa pagtaas ng krudo,” Dela Torre recounted.

[If prices don't go down, we appeal for the government’s fuel subsidy because it's very difficult due to the increase in crude oil.]

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) earlier agreed to look into the possibility of giving fuel subsidy to fishermen to allow them to expand their fishing activities in the West Philippine Sea.

Meanwhile, fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) also lamented that the cost of production for small fisherfolk have also swelled to P180 per fishing operation, or a total of P720 additional fuel cost for a week of four fishing trips. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News