‘Usman’ aftermath: Prices of fish rise in Bohol

The prices of fish and other seafood have gone up in Bohol as consumers begin to flock the market hours before the New Year’s eve celebration. Inquirer Visayas photo / Leo Udtohan

TAGBILARAN CITY–The prices of fish and seafood have increased in Bohol province on Monday, hours before the New Year’s Eve.

At Dao Public Market here, fish prices also have increased with burutburot (rough-ear scad) and bangsi (flying fish) now being sold at P120 to P140 per kilo compared to the previous P100. The price of tulingan has also gone up from P180 to P200 to P250 per kilo.

Barilis (yellow fin tuna)  badlon (blue trevally) and salimbagon (skipjack tuna) are now being sold at P400 up to P500 per kilo from P280 per kilo.

Inquirer Visayas photo / Leo Udtohan

The price per kilo of mulmol (parrotfish) also increased to P400 from P250.

Lapu-lapu, on the other hand, also went up to P400 per kilo from P350 per kilo.

The price of shrimp increased to P320-P350 per kilo from the previous P250 to P280 per kilo.

Fish vendor Fely Saguran, who has been selling fish for the past 20 years, explained that the sudden increase of fish prices was due to the effects of tropical storm “Usman.”

“There were a few catch because the weather was bad. The sea was rough,” she said.

Inside the malls, the price range for tuna fish reaches from P500-600 per kilo, while tuna fishes were being sold at P500-650 along Junction Street in Barangay Bool.

Meanwhile, prices of pork, beef, and chicken and some vegetables have remained steady.

But despite the high price, market goer Antonia Palgan had to buy fish for the family’s Media Noche (Spanish for midnight), the New Year’s Eve version of Christmas’ Noche Buena.

“I already expected that fish would be expensive. It’s ok even if it’s expensive,“ she said.

She bought yellow fin tuna for her escabeche (pickled fried fish).

“We have been eating pork and beef meat since Christmas. It’s time to go for fish,” she added. /jpv