The national government’s continued “refusal” to suspend excise tax on major oil products is a “neglect to the ailing fisherfolk and other marginalized sectors,” said fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya).

Earlier, Pamalakaya Spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo disclosed that many fishermen were forced to seek “alternative jobs” to make ends meet amid the continuous oil price hikes. If not seeking other sources of income, fishers were forced to “lessen” their fishing activities.

If not resolved, these developments, according to the group, could harm the local fish supply and eventually increase its market price.

“he recent oil price increase marked up the fuel cost of a fisherfolk who regularly consumes 10 liter of diesel per fishing trip to P780 on a P78 liter of diesel. If excise tax on fuel will be suspended, the production cost of a small fisherfolk will be slashed by at least P160 per fishing trip or a total of P2, 560 per month with 16 fishing days,” said Pamalakaya on Friday, Oct. 21.

Aside from the suspension of excise tax on fuel, the group renewed its call on the provision of a P15,000 subsidy to fisherfolk and other marginalized sectors who are in need.

“Wala nang dahilan para mag-angkat pa ng isda kung makakapanumbalik ang maraming mangingisdang napilitang maghanap ng ibang kabuhayan dahil sa taas ng gastusin sa produksyon (There will no longer be a reason to import more fish if our fishermen, who have been forced to find other livelihoods due to high cost of production, can recover),” Arambulo said.