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.

In an interview, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the entry of 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 said.

The move comes alongside the extended fishing season in preparation for the possible impact of the looming strong peak El Niño, he added.

Tiu Laurel, meanwhile, said the approved import volume will remain.

The government earlier approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of frozen fish and other aquatic goods.

“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),” Tiu Laurel said.

To date, Tiu Laurel assured of a stable supply and market prices of fish and seafood products, including milkfish and tilapia, among others.

As of Tuesday, the prices of milkfish in Metro Manila range from PHP200 to PHP270 per kilogram, according to the DA-Bantay Presyo.

Prices of tilapia, meanwhile, are pegged at PHP110 to PHP180 per kilo. (PNA)