BOHOL is experiencing a shortfall of fish supply, which means that there’s a big demand.
Bohol is deficit of P29,029,000 kilos or 29 metric tons (MT) of fish, according to regional director Allan Poquita of the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Bohol consumes some P50,522,000 kilos/year or 50 metric tons based on per capita consumption of P38.5 kilos multiplied by 1.3 million population. But it got only some 21,021,000 kilos/year or 21 MT (42%), hence a deficit of 29,029,000 kilos or 58%.
This surfaced during the Task Force Isda meeting last week with provincial administrator Aster Caberte and task force head Engr. Ricardo Oblena, Executive Assistant on Agriculture.
Fish production of Bohol was placed at 58,623,.92 kgs, including aqua culture, in 2019; 70,565,06 kgs. In 2020; but dripped to 67,927 kgs. in 2021, Poquita, who participated in the meeting, said.
Seaweed production also dropped from 54,204.33 kgs. in 2019 down to 43,406.39 kgs and 34,117.05 kgs in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
The popular clamor for lowering of fish prices has prompted Gov. Aris Aumentado to intervene as a result he issued executive Order No 29, creating the said task force.
The Task Force Isda is composed of Oblena as chair; Argeo Melisimo, vice-chairman; regular members — former Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, D.A. 7 regiona director Joel Elumba, Buenavista Mayor Dave Duallo (president, League of the Municipalities of the Philippines Bohol Chapter), Assistant Secretary for the Visayas Department of Agriculture Salvador Diputado and auxiliary members — one each representative from fish wholesale dealers and retailers.
The governor asked the fish vendors to collaborate in bringing down fish prices. He also bared that one fish dealer agreed to also cooperate for the same purpose.
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Fish sold in Guindulman town did not have price tags on September 22, 2022 during the visit of media people and found that they are pricey compared to other markets in other towns and the city.
Fish such as Bilong-bilong are sold in this town at P220.00/kilo; Tamarong, P220.00; Anduhaw, P240.00; Budlisan, P200.00; Tulingan, 240.00; Kitong, P320.00 to P360.00; katambak, P320.00; Danggit, 240.00; Bawo, P180.00; Timbongan, P180.00; and Maya-maya, P380.00.
According to a fish vendor, who did not identify herself, that most of the supply came from Mabini town.
Fish sold in Cogon market in Tagbilaran City is much cheaper or a slight difference of between P20-50.00 in similar kind of fish, based on the post of Bohol Island News yesterday.
Cogon pubic market sold Tulingan @ P200/kilo; Katambak, P250.00; Sapayan, P250.00; Anduhaw gagmay, P120.00; Anduhaw dagko, P180.00; Toloy tamban, P100.00; Bilong-bilong, P180.00; white-tailed Borot-borot, P180.00. (rvo)
