Occidental Mindoro fishermen's income drop amid lockdown

The prices of some types of fish transported from Occidental Mindoro is lower in markets in Metro Manila amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

According to a 24 Oras report by Vonne Aquino on Thursday, fishermen lamented the low prices of fish because traders cannot ship these to the metropolis.

Boyet Baybayong, a fisherman from Sitio Cebu in Occidental Mindoro, said he sailed for nine hours only to sell 35 kilos of flying fish for P35 per kilo.

From earning between P5,000 to P10,000 per day, now Baybayong only earns P1,225 that he will use to buy food for the family.

Baybayong said tuna now only sells for P50 to P80 from P350 at their local market since shipments to Metro Manila have been suspended.

“Ang problem po, hindi makaluwas ng Maynila o makalusot ‘yong isda namin po. Kaya dito na lang po umiikot sa lugar namin po ‘yong isda kaya umaabot na lang ng 50 pesos ‘yong isang kilo ng tuna,” he said.

Meanwhile, Occidental Mindoro Governor Ed Gadiano said fish prices continue to go down due to the Luzon lockdown.

He said some traders who ship fish products to Metro Manila also halted operations due to lack of manpower.

Gadiano said delivery men are required to undergo quarantine at piers upon their return to Occidental Mindoro, while some ask for higher pay due to the high risk of contracting COVID-19.

With this, the provincial government appealed to the Philippine Ports Authority to allow drivers from Metro Manila to meet fish delivery trucks at piers.

“May driver dito sa Occidental na sasalubong sa kanila para iuwi ‘yong truck pero ‘yong tao naka-quarantine sa pier. Tapos, ‘pag bumiyahe ulit ‘yong truck, ‘yong naka-quarantine na driver nila, sila naman magtatawid pakabila,” Gadiano said.

MIMAROPA Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, meanwhile, sold 10 tons of fish in Quezon City earlier to help the fishermen.

“Kahapon, may dumating na 10 tons na tulingan. Ang Bureau of Fisheries ma’am dinala namin dito sa Circle. Kami po ang tumutulong sa pag-distribute ng kanilang nahuhuli,” BFAR MIMAROPA director Elizer Salilig said.

Baybayong, however, still hoped that fishes from their province could reach Metro Manila despite the lockdown. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP/RSJ, GMA News