Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it has deferred the arrival of 250,000 metric tons of approved fish imports to the last quarter of the year. The revised timeline is a slight pushback from the earlier approved entry beginning in August.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. mentioned that the entry of the approved import volume will be allowed once the official fishing halt begins, considering the current stability in local supply. 'Malamang baka sa closed season na lang iti-trigger iyon, baka October na o November (Perhaps it will be triggered during the closed fishing season, maybe around October or November),' he stated.

The decision to postpone the import comes alongside the extended fishing season in preparation for the possible impact of the looming strong peak El Ni±o, he added. Tiu Laurel assured that the approved import volume will remain unchanged.

The government had earlier approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of frozen fish and other aquatic goods. Tiu Laurel emphasized, 'Yung 250,000 na iyon final na iyon for the year pero iti-trigger lang kapag kailangan (That 250,000 import volume is final for the year but can only be triggered once needed).'

Currently, Tiu Laurel assured a stable supply and market prices of fish and seafood products, including milkfish and tilapia. As of Tuesday, the prices of milkfish in Metro Manila range from PHP200 to PHP270 per kilogram, while prices of tilapia are pegged at PHP110 to PHP180 per kilo, according to the DA-Bantay Presyo.