Prices of tilapia, bangus from Batangas increased in some markets

The price of tilapia from Batangas and bangus has increased in some markets in Metro Manila due to the ongoing turmoil of Taal Volcano.

Tilapia from Batangas costs an additional P10 per kilo while bangus costs P20 per kilo.

For example, at a store in Kamuning Market in Quezon City, Batangas tilapia is now at P120 per kilo, up from P100 per kilo.

On the other hand, Retailer Arlene Nadal did not like bangus because of the high price given by her supplier.

From P120 per kilo of bangus, Nadal’s supplier has already given P140 to P150 per kilo.

But according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), there is no basis for the increase in the price of fish from Batangas.

“Tingin po namin dapat wala pong paggalaw sa presyo ng isda lalong-lalo ‘pag galing sa Taal kasi based po sa ating report ay normal po ‘yong operations, tuloy-tuloy po ‘yong pagharvest, wala pong kakulangan sa supply, hindi po naaantala ang pag-transport at hindi rin po naaantala ‘yong pag-harvest,” said Sammy Malvas, director of BFAR sa Calabarzon.

The regional BFAR appealed to suppliers not to take advantage of the situation in Taal.

Prices of tilapia, bangus from Batangas increased in some markets

According to Malvas, fish from Batangas is safe to eat.

“Safe pong kainin ‘yong isdang nanggagaling sa Taal Lake at siguraduhin lang natin ‘yong normal nating ginagawa, hugasan po natin nang maayos, lutuin natin nang maayos ‘yong isda,” he said.

BFAR is currently evaluating the water quality in Taal Lake to ensure it is not yet dangerous to fish.

Should the situation in Taal worsen and the dissolved oxygen in the water drops to 5 parts per million, BFAR will notify fish cage operators to persevere.

According to Cheryl Caballero, agriculture undersecretary for agri-industrialization, the country has other sources of these fish if Taal’s situation worsens.

“We predominantly have it from Region 1 (Ilocos). I think 40 percent of bangus comes from Region 1, and we also have other sources in Region 3 (Central Luzon) to include also tilapia,” said Caballero.