CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – Just as fisherfolks had warned.
Imported round scad fish or galunggong have arrived and farm gate prices of local fish catch have crashed, but the price of galunggong has remained high.
The fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) reported yesterday that “retail prices of galunggong in local wet markets remained high at P120 to P160 per kilo despite the government’s assurances that price would go down with the importation of the fishery products.”
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has approved the importation of 17,000 metric tons of galunggong for direct market sale. The first batch of imported galunggong arrived at the Navotas Fish Port last September 1.
“Contrary to government’s claim, the arrival of imported round scad does not actually stabilize the inflation,” Pamalakaya said in a statement.
“What’s decreasing further is the farm gate price of local galunggong which went to P60 per kilo from P70 to P80 per kilo. We have been telling the government that importation is not the solution to the soaring retail price of marine and fishery products in the market,” said Pamalakaya chairman Fernando Hicap.
Pamalakaya, along with other consumer and agricultural groups, have been urging Pres. Duterte to refrain from importation and instead “support the local agriculture by strengthening the capacity of local food producers such as farmers and fishers.”
Pamalakaya also belied government claims of shortage of galunggong in the country.
“There will be no actual shortage if only the government will desist from indefinite declaration of closed fishing season and fish ban in major fishing grounds in the country. A closed fishing season for galunggong will kick off in Palawan in November, and this will affect fishers there,” Pamalakaya said.
“Given the alleged shortage, the more the government must encourage municipal fisherfolk to become active in fishing activity to increase municipal fisheries production,” Hicap said.
Pamalakaya vowed to continue its campaign for consumers to boycott imported galunggong and other fisheries products.
“The boycott is also to protect the health of consumers,” it added.
