Filipino fishermen, amid the continuous oil price hikes, are now being forced to seek alternative jobs to make ends meet.
Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) warned of the possible impacts of the continuous oil price hikes, saying that if not resolved this could harm the local fish supply.
“Tiyak na kasunod ng pagbagsak ng supply ng isda ang pagsirit ng presyo nito sa pamilihan (We are certain that after the fall of fish supply, its market price will immediately increase),” warned Pamalakaya National Spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
If not seeking alternative jobs, Filipino fishermen are forced to “lessen” their fishing activities. According to the fishers’ group, many fishers can no longer afford to sustain their fuel expenses with their low income.
With these, Pamalakaya renewed their demand for a P15,000 production subsidy as well as the suspension of excise tax on major oil products.