DA plans to open fish markets amid high prices

The Department of Agriculture targets to open fish markets in landlocked areas in several parts of the country amid the continued high prices of the basic commodity.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the Bohol fish market model, which was started last week, would also be implemented in towns and provinces which have limited or do not have fishing grounds like Baguio City, Bukidnon, Abra, Tarlac and North Cotabato, among others.

The DA recently opened the Bohol Fish Market in the Agriculture Promotions Center in Tagbilaran City where nearly seven metric tons of fish coming from the fishing grounds of Zamboanga, Caraga, Samar, Misamis Oriental and Iloilo were sold.

“A validation made by a study team of the DA showed that traders and middlemen controlled the trading of fish, including other agricultural products in the province, resulting in prices of the common table fish galunggong soaring to as high as P220 per kilogram,” Piñol said.

The next fish market to be launched after Bohol will be in Baguio City where the DA has a facility within the Benguet State University compound.

“The program will be replicated nationwide to ensure stable supply of fish at affordable prices and to address the problem caused by the control by traders and middlemen of the food supply chain,“Piñol said.

In the meantime, fish markets will be opened during Saturdays and Sundays until storage facilities are installed in the areas.

The agri chief said the Department of Transportation has already committed to give 200 units of refrigerated containers to serve as cold storage facilities for fish coming in from other provinces.

The DA will also link fishermen’s groups to other regions, especially Zamboanga Peninsula, to ensure direct contact and avoid the presence of middlemen. Likewise, stakeholders will be trained in financial literacy, while agricultural loans will also be made available.

The DA has already issued the certificate of necessity to import a maximum of 17,000 MT of galunggong for wet markets as a measure to stabilize price and supply.