The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that a minimal adjustment on fish prices may be experienced during the Holy Week.
The agency said this is due to the Catholic tradition that allows the faithful to abstain from eating meat as a form of penance, specifically on Good Friday.
The price adjustments on fish do not exceed a 15-percent increase, the agency said.
It noted that consumers are assured of a stable supply of fish in the country despite the anticipated increase in demand during Holy Week.
This came after the lifting of the three-month closed fishing season in February that banned the catching of sardines, herring, and mackerel.
“We can expect movement next week, especially leading to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, but this is only for three to five days,” the DA said.
The prevailing prices of fish, including bangus (milkfish) and tilapia, have been maintained since last month, with the prevailing price per kilogram of milkfish at P240 and tilapia at P160, based on the agency's price monitoring.
The DA added that it monitored a downward trend in the price of galunggong or mackerel scad, from P300 last month to P240 this week.
“Ang gumalaw lang talaga iyong galunggong (the only price movement is that of galunggong), So bumaba pa iyong presyo (The price actually dropped),” De Mesa said.