The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) blamed private traders for the surge in prices of various types of fish in markets following the devastation caused by Typhoons Kristine and Leon. According to the group, greedy traders are taking advantage of the situation to manipulate prices.

Based on the group’s monitoring, the price of galunggong fish rose to ₱220-₱240 per kilo, tilapia to ₱160-₱180 per kilo, and bangus to ₱180 per kilo in recent days.

“The private traders are causing the surge in fish prices in the markets, not the typhoon nor the fisherfolk,” Pamalakaya second vice president and Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidate Ronnel Arambulo said.

He explained, “While the farm gate price of fish from small fisherfolk is very low, the market prices of these fish are increasing.” The farm gate price of tilapia is only ₱50-₱60 per kilo, triple the ₱180 per kilo price in the market.

As a solution to the rising prices in the market, Arambulo urged the Department of Agriculture to take concrete steps to ensure that traders do not take advantage of the fish market price.

Arambulo also emphasized the need for the government to directly purchase the catch of fisherfolk to help them and make fish commercially affordable.