In spite of the triggered disruptions wreaked
by COVID-19 on the food supply chain, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) assures Filipinos that the
Philippines will continue to have adequate fish supply for the majority of the
population throughout the year.
Based on DA-BFAR’s official forecast, the country’s total fish supply can reach
up to 3.35 million metric tons (MT), slightly exceeding the demand of 3.33
million MT by yearend. For the second quarter alone, the country will enjoy an
11-day surplus equivalent to 101,792 MT, with a 934,920 MT supply exceeding the
833,128 MT demand.
“With the lifting of the close fishing season in major
fishing areas in the country and the peak of fishing activities during the
second quarter, we have enough supply of fresh fish in the market,” said
Agriculture Secretary William Dar in an interview published in Manila Bulletin
(Sufficient fish supply assured amid COVID-19, 05/02/2020).
According to Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) General
Manager Glen Pangapalan, they have so far facilitated the unloading of 71,025
MT of fish or an average of 2,088 MT daily since the implementation of the Enhanced
Community Quarantine in the Philippines.
At present, there are nine (9) regional fish ports in the country
located in Navotas, Lucena, Sual, Camaligan, Bulan, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Davao,
and General Santos.
Pangapalan stressed that all these fish ports are continuously operating
to further meet the demand. However, he said that adequate fishing ports and
post-harvest facilities are still critical to fully develop the fisheries sector.
Presently, the wholesale prices of popular fish species sold at all PFDA
regional fish ports have remained stable compared with other commercial
species. He was referring to products like bangus, tilapia, galunggong,
yellowfin Tuna, and matambaka.
Moreover, Secretary Dar assured the fishing industry that DA will
continue to collaborate with other government agencies and the private sector
to tackle important issues and concerns affecting the fishing sector.
