A science and technology advocacy group has warned that the country’s fish supply may come under pressure as rising fuel prices force more fishers to stay ashore.
Yeb Saño, executive director of Sentro para sa Ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya (SIKAT), cited fuel prices in Romblon where diesel has reached P142 per liter, while premium and regular gasoline are priced at P108. At these levels, a typical fishing trip requiring 10 to 15 liters of diesel would cost between P1,420 and P2,130, making it increasingly difficult for small-scale fishers to operate.
Livelihoods at Risk, Supply Chain Affected
Saño said many fishers now face a situation where the value of their catch may not even cover fuel expenses, turning each trip into a financial risk.
This has led to more “grounded” fishers, or those unable to afford going out to sea. The effect, he warned, could ripple through the supply chain, reducing fish availability and raising broader food security concerns.
The sector remains one of the most vulnerable, with over one million capture fishers and around 2.6 million fish workers nationwide. About 30 percent of fisherfolk live below the poverty line. For municipal fishers using motorized bancas, fuel costs can make up as much as 80 percent of their daily expenses.
Calls for Urgent Government Action
In response, SIKAT is urging the government to take immediate steps to ease the burden on affected sectors. These include suspending excise taxes on fuel, requiring transparency in oil pricing, and exploring measures such as price caps or government control of oil supply.
The group also called for the use of emergency powers to allow fisherfolk and jeepney drivers to access fuel at regulated prices. It is also studying legal options to challenge provisions of the Oil Deregulation Act that limit government intervention.
Saño said the group will continue to monitor the situation and develop community-based responses to help coastal communities cope, noting that global crises can quickly translate into local challenges, especially for sectors heavily dependent on fuel.
