Small fisherfolk in the Ilocos region are halting operations as fuel costs surge, leaving many boats idle and cutting off livelihoods, industry groups said.

In Dagupan City, some fishermen have stopped going out to sea as expenses nearly doubled, making trips no longer viable.

“Parang ito na po, parang krisis din namin. Halos lahat po ng bangka dito ay naka-dry dock kasi pagbalik nila, lugi lang,” Letty Camacho, president of a local fisherfolk group, said.

Fuel expenses for a single fishing trip have risen to more than ₱2,000, or about a 77 percent increase from around ₱1,152, based on data cited by fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA.

This means an added ₱888 for every 10 liters of gasoline they use typically.

“Wala na silang kapital sa pambili ng gasolina at wala na ring mautangan. ‘Yung iba nakikisama na lang doon sa may kapasidad para maglaot. Ang problema, hindi naman kayang i-accommodate lahat,” Fernando Hicap, chairperson of PAMALAKAYA, said.

The group warned that the sector may not be able to withstand further price hikes, especially as some boats have remained idle for weeks.

Fishermen also face low fish prices in markets, worsening their losses even as operating costs rise.

They added that fuel access has become limited in some areas, with gas stations requiring proper boat registration and imposing purchase limits.

“Hindi ka na pagbibigyan o bebentahan ng gasoline kapag ‘di mo dala ‘yung rehistro ng bangka mo. Kung may limit na, ‘yung mga malalayo, kawawa,” Hicap said.

PAMALAKAYA renewed its call on the government to provide fuel subsidies to more than two million registered fisherfolk, remove excise tax and value-added tax on petroleum products, and review the oil deregulation law to help control fuel prices.