Canned sardines price seen to increase with higher power rates in Zamboanga City

THE SOUTHERN Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association Inc. (SOPHIL) has warned of another round of price increase for canned sardines in the coming months following the power rate hike in Zamboanga City. Engr. Jaydrick A. Yap, president of SOPHIL, said they are now feeling the effect of the power rate increase implemented by the Zamboanga Electric Cooperative Inc. “Last year, we were only (paying) something like in the terms of average is between P8.00 per kilowatt hour, now its P10.00,” Mr. Yap said. He added that overall operational cost had also increased by about 30%, including the power bill. “The residential, even the commercial industry felt that increase,” Mr. Yap said. Canned sardines price increased by at least P1.00 in the first quarter of the year following the full implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. — Albert F. Arcilla