Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered the reallocation of unutilized fish import permits for 3,000 metric tons (MT) to qualified dealers to ensure supply and to stabilize prices in wet markets. The Agriculture department had allowed the importation of 55,000 MT of fish in the fourth quarter, but earlier this month Tiu Laurel said that just 30 percent of the volume had arrived. He ordered the withdrawal and redistribution of the unused permits, noting in particular that prices of galunggong or round scad had surged because of the lack of supply.

Jordan, G. P. (2025, December 15). Unutilized fish import permits up for grabs. The Manila Times, p. B2.