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| Vol. XX No. 46 |
January 24, 2001 |
Virac, Catanduanes |
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The Catanduanes Tribune Rawis, Virac Catanduanes, Philippines - 5001 Tel. No.: (052) 811-1267 or 811-2640 Fax No.: (052) 811-1267 E-mail:
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Publisher-Editor Edwin A. Gianan |
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Advertising- Circulation Manager Simeon G. Cueno |
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Web Master: Calgary, Canada |
Major Developments
No
supplier in public hearing on fish prices
Not
one supplier attended last week's public hearing on the sky-high prices of
fish in the Virac public market, raising fears that a suggested price
ceiling could be made workable.
Despite
being served notices, none of the fish suppliers joined less than half of
fish vendors, consumers, barangay captains, market officials,
representatives of the Office of the Mayor and the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI), and members of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Market
and Slaughterhouse led by Councilor Luis Avila in the public hearing held
January 18 at the ABC Hall. Among the other kagawads who attended the
hearing were Roy Laynes, Arsenio Romero and Edgardo Zafe.
After
due deliberation, the committee reached a consensus to adopt suggested
price ceilings for first to fourth-class fish sold in the municipality.
First-class fish would be sold between P80 to P100 per kilo while
second-class fish will be pegged at P70 to P80 per kilo.
On
the other hand, the maximum price of third and fourth-class fish has been
pegged at P60 and P50 per kilo, respectively. For so-called special class
of fish, the committee will determine the appropriate price ceiling. The
committee's position was seconded by DTI representative Bernardino Abundo,
Jr. who suggested that the SB adopt the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) as a
price ceiling in order to protect consumers as well as the conduct of
regular monitoring.
The
committee also decided to allow fishermen in coastal barangays to sell
their produce within the barangay. However, it did not consider the issue
of middlemen selling fish bought from other barangays and selling it in
such a coastal barangay.
As
regards ambulant fish vendors, the body decided to propose an ordinance
granting authority to punong barangays to apprehend violators of a
municipal ordinance prohibiting the selling of fish other than at the
Virac public market.
The
hearing was called by the committee in reaction to complaints in the print
and radio media about the escalating prices of marine products in the
local market and talipapas.
Ordinance
proponent Councilor Virgilio Candelaria said the local ordinance being
enforced regarding fish prices was enacted in 1994 and is no longer
applicable in the light of present economic conditions. He added that for
the last six years, the legislative body deemed it proper to rely fully on
the law of supply and demand, hoping that fish vendors would get a fair
return on their capital while consumers get their money's worth.
He
revealed that he and Councilor Avila conducted a survey on the flow of
fish supply in the local market and found out that the landed cost of
first-class fish was only P80 per kilo during calm weather and P90 during
inclement weather.
During
the hearing, the high prices of fish and marine products were blamed on
ambulant fish vendors who have no business permits, unlicensed fish
suppliers who have stalls at the market, and the increase in the number of
vendors from 27 to the present 36.
It
was also alleged that suppliers from Codon, San Andres have been selling
fish at prohibitive prices to vendors at the market, threatening that it
would be shipped to Manila if they would not accept the high price. The
lack of vigilance from consumers have also worsened the situation, the
body stated, adding that if irregularities would be reported to the proper
authorities, the situation would improve.
