Fisheries production, particularly at the municipal level, is expected to fall significantly in the first quarter of the year as “successive big-time“ increases in fuel prices force fisherfolk to cut or suspend their fishing operations, a national fishers’ group warned over the weekend.
In a statement on Saturday, March 14, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) warned that the sharp rise in petroleum prices has already prompted many small-scale fisherfolk to reduce their fishing trips or halt operations altogether.
According to the group, the increasing cost of fuel has greatly affected the day-to-day operations of municipal fisherfolk who rely on small boats powered by diesel.
PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said fuel costs for municipal fisherfolk have increased by about 60 percent, forcing many to shorten their fishing hours.
“The ever-rising production cost especially on fuel forced us to lessen our fishing activities. This will affect the local fish supply and market prices,” Hicap said in a statement.
From the usual 8 to 10 hours of fishing per day, many fisherfolk have reportedly cut their operations to only four to six hours to reduce expenses.
Based on the group’s estimates, the daily fuel expense of a fisher typically consuming eight to 10 liters of diesel per fishing trip has increased by around P640.
Hicap warned that the reduced fishing time and fewer fishing trips could directly affect the local fish supply and potentially lead to higher prices in public markets.
Meanwhile, PAMALAKAYA criticized what it described as the "slow-paced and insufficient distribution" of fuel subsidies to fisherfolk affected by rising fuel costs.
The group said that only about 23,000 fisherfolk out of the country’s 2.7 million registered fisherfolk are expected to receive assistance from the government’s fuel subsidy program.
“Mabagal na nga, kulang-kulang pa. Sa halos tatlong milyong rehistradong mangingisda sa buong bansa, nasa 23,000 lamang ang mapapagkalooban ng kakarampot na fuel subsidy na nagkakahalaga ng P3,000 kada indibidwal. Apat na araw lamang mapapakinabangan ito ng benepisyaryong mangingisda,” Hicap said.
The group also criticized the administration of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., saying the government lacks a comprehensive plan to support vulnerable sectors amid continuing increases in oil prices and other production costs.
“Malinaw na walang komprehensibong plano ang pamahalaan para alalayan ang mga naghihirap na sektor sa gitna ng walang-tigil na pagtataas ng presyo ng langis at iba pang gastusin,” Hicap added.
PAMALAKAYA called on the government to remove the value-added tax (VAT) and excise taxes on petroleum products, which the group said add about P15 to P17 per liter to current fuel prices.
