The Sangguniang Panlalawigan initiates another investigation on the factors in the high prices of fish in Bohol.
The matter was discussed during the pre-session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last Friday where SP Member Alexie Tutor raised a concern on the high prices of fish in Bohol.
During the regular session, SP Member Tomas Abapo Jr. then delivered a privilege speech where he moved for another investigation on the factors surrounding the issue which remains unresolved for over a decade already.
Abapo cited as one of the factors, the participation of middlemen who tend to mark up the prices.
He also said fishermen prefer to sell their catch from Bohol to Cebu.
This practice reduces the supply of fish in Bohol which is the reason that vendors raise the prices of fish at the public markets.
On this, Abapo moved for an investigation to identify other factors that cause the higher prices of fish in Bohol compared to those in Cebu and other provinces in other regions.
The move was referred to the Committee on Agriculture chaired by SP Member Abeleon Damalerio.
The regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources earlier confirmed that the prices of fish in Bohol are more expensive by P50 per kilo compared to other provinces.
On the other hand, the Bohol Provincial Fishery Office of BFAR- 7 had also passed earlier, a list of proposed priority programs and projects for 2018 that will serve as “a concrete step of the government in realizing inclusive growth and poverty alleviation in the fishery sector.
It is also intended “to improve the livelihood of the identified fisherfolk population and eventually lessen the incidence of poverty”.
Its aquaculture project includes pond culture technology for upland areas which may require P3 million; marine fish cage in Candijay and Calape which may require P1.6 million; shellfish culture in Mabini and Buenavista which may require P1.8 million; seaweeds culture in Talibon and Bien Unido which may require P7 million; and seaweeds dryer in Talibon and Candijay which costs P900,000.
The Bohol Provincial Fishery Office also proposed a marine fisheries technology project which involves distribution of fishing gears or paraphernalia in coastal municipalities.
The Bohol Provincial Fishery Office proposed a budget of P4.9 million for sets of gill net, P1.8 million for fishpot, P600,000 for crabpot; P180,000 for handline; P720,000 for motorized bancas; and P1.6 million for non-motorized bancas.
Another is the post-harvest and marketing development project where the Bohol Provincial Fishery Office proposed a budget of P420,000 for post-harvest technology for fish processing in Talibon, Candijay, Inabanga, Getafe, Tubigon and Ubay.
The Bohol Provincial Fishery Office proposed a budget of P15 million for mini-ice plant for Ubay, Talibon, Jagna, Tagbilaran City, and Guindulman; P5 million for storage to be set up in Talibon, Tagbilaran City, Jagna, Guindulman, and Calape; P14.4 million for fish stalls in coastal and upland municipalities; and P30 million for 10 Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLCs).
The Bohol Provincial Fishery Office also proposed marine sanctuary rehabilitation and fishery resource enhancement and protection.
Marine sanctuary rehabilitation will be implemented in all marine protected areas in the province with a proposed budget of P4 million.
Mangrove planting will also be implemented provincewide with a budget of almost P2 million.
Shell seeding is also proposed to be implemented in coastal municipalities with a budget of P100,000.
The Bohol Provincial Fishery Office also proposed the purchase of 30-footer fiberglass 115-horsepower outboard-engine patrol boats with a budget of P2.4 million.
The Bohol Provincial Fishery Office also plans to establish an organic aquaculture demo in Sierra-Bullones with a budget of P340,000.
The project is for the “production of quality fishery products that are safeguarded from contamination of harmful and toxic chemical substances and use of artificial ingredients to enhance food safety for human consumption and to provide options to consumers or markets.