Fisherfolk at Taal Lake are currently experiencing losses as reports of “dumped bodies” linked to “missing cockfighters” have caused alarm and fear among consumers. This has led to a drop in market prices for fish, particularly for tawilis (freshwater sardine) endemic in Taal Lake, which has resulted in poor sales for the fisherfolk.

According to the Taal Lake Aquacultural Alliance Inc. (TLAAI), they are affected by the steep decline in tawilis sales, while milkfish and tilapia are still being sold, but in smaller volumes than before. They are calling on the government for assistance and support to help them cope with their losses.

In an interview by the Manila Standard, a Cuenca fisher said that he used to sell 100 kilos of tawilis but now only manages to sell around 20 kilos.

TLAAI said the national government should expedite the ongoing search operations in Taal Lake in order to dispel consumer concerns. The group added that the public needs to be informed clearly that only 10 of the lake’s 24,000 hectares are covered by these operations.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) also called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to provide a clear response and support for the fisherfolk. Among the group’s recommendations is for the direct purchase of fishers’ products at reasonable prices and for a more active public campaign to promote consumption of their catch.

Based on data gathered by Pamalakaya, the market price of tawilis has dropped from ₱250 to ₱100 per kilo. “We received reports that tawilis is being sold for ₱100 per kilo in several towns in Cavite. At this low market price, its farmgate price at Taal is certainly even lower, which leads to heavy losses for the fisherfolk,” Pamalakaya chairperson Fernando Hicap said.

Hicap also stated, “Fisherfolk can no longer withstand these losses, as they have already endured months of hardship caused by the southwest monsoon, which has hampered fishing trips.”