More than 200 tons of fish were lost after their cages in Lipa City, Batangas were damaged on Wednesday due to Typhoon Jolina.
According to the initial forecast of the fishermen, more than 30 fish cages of tilapia and bangus were damaged due to the storm’s ravages.
“Bale sa sobrang lakas ng hangin at lalaki ng alon nawasak ‘yung cages nila. Saka ‘yong mga lambat naalis,” said Robert Martinez, president of the Taal Lake Small -Scale Fishermen’s Movement.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is still collecting data on the extent and amount of typhoon damage to fisheries in Batangas and Cavite.
In some markets in Metro Manila, no fish was delivered from Batangas.
In Pampanga, Muñoz Market and Kamuning Market in Quezon City first acquired tilapia.
On the other hand, some sea fish cost P20 to P50 per kilo because of the typhoon.
“Medyo mahal ang isda gawa noong nag-ulan nga,” said vendor Mar Dionisio.
“Wala masyadong dating ngayon na isda, ‘yong mga galing sa Batangas,” he added.
Meanwhile, the price of vegetables from Calabarzon, which was hit by the typhoon, has not moved.
But they are likely to increase prices in the next few days, according to some vendors.
200 tons of fish escape cages in Batangas due to typhoon Jolina
But according to Agriculture Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista, only 0.24 percent of the vegetables in Metro Manila come from Calabarzon, so supply and prices should not be significantly affected.
“If you’re from Commonwealth (Quezon City), chances are ang gulay mo will be coming from Regions 1, 2, 3. If you’re from Las Piñas, baka galing ng [Calabarzon]. So magkakaroon ng pagkakaiba ng presyo ang mga palengke natin,” said Evangelista.
Farmers in Benguet are also waiting for the effects of the upcoming Typhoon Kiko because they are still planting vegetables and have not yet fully recovered from the damage of the southwest monsoon.
Farmers in Benguet are worried that Typhoon Kiko will affect their crops such as lettuce, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes.
According to DA data, the initial amount of damage caused by Typhoon Jolina to high-value crops such as vegetables and cassava in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Masbate has reached P4.9 million.