Govt asked to regulate prices of fish products
MABALACAT CITY – The national fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) is asking for ‘government intervention’in a form of price control over skyrocketing prices of fish, particularly galunggong (round scad), which now costs an average of P250/kilogram in the market.
“Galunggong is no longer a poor man’s fish with its average retail price of P250 per kilogram,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said.
The fishers’ group decried that while galunggong farm gate price on small producers is very low, the fish product passes through around 4-5 middlemen or private consignation, who secure their profits by marking up, and eventually pushes up the retail price in the market.
“While the average retail price of galunggong is at P250/ kg all-time high, its farm gate value remains P60/ kg all-time low, leaving both small fishers and poor consumers at disadvantage,” said Hicap.
PAMALAKAYA calls on the government to seriously study the implementation of price ceiling for galunggong and other fishery products as stated in the Price Act.
Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, provisions Automatic Price Control against illegal price manipulation, including profiteering or the sale or offering for sale of any basic necessity or prime commodity at a price grossly in excess of its true worth.
“The national government must intervene by imposing a price control that would be reasonable and beneficial for local producers, and not burden the poor consumers,” ended Hicap.
Prices of other basic commodities including vegetables and meat have also increased in the beginning of the year.