No basis for price hike on tilapia despite Taal unrest--BFAR exec
There shouldn't be any price increase as far as tilapia sourced from Taal Lake is concerned even with the Taal Volcano's continued unrest, a regional director from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) clarified on Monday, July 5.

BFAR-4A Regional Director Sammy A. Malvas said during a press briefing that there is currently no basis to enforce a price hike for tilapia, debunking claims from some market vendors that there has been a price spike for the fish due to the restiveness of Taal Volcano.
"We are calling para doon sa mga nananamantala ng sitwasyon para kumita at itaas yung presyo ng isda. Ngayon wala pong dapat basehan ng pagtaas ng presyo ng isda o tilapia na nanggagaling sa Taal Lake (We are calling on those who are taking advantage of the situation to earn extra money by increasing the price of fish. For now, there is no basis for the price hike of fishes or tilapia from Taal Lake)," Malvas said.
The regional director explained that at present, fisherfolks' operations and harvesting in the lake are at a normal status. There is even no problem in supply to trigger a price hike, he added.
Market prices for milkfish and tilapia remained at their respective suggested retail price (SRP). Milkfish should not be priced more than P160 per kilo while tilapia must not be over P120 per kilo in public markets.
Malvas also noted that tilapia and other fish from Taal Lake are safe to eat provided that they are fresh, and properly cleaned and prepared.
He further said that as of Monday, the water quality in Taal Lake is at a normal level. This ensures that the fish there are safe to eat.