MANILA - The Department of Agriculture says plans are underway to increase fish production at Laguna de Bay as the agency aims to further lower food prices, an official said Monday.

“Tutulungan ng DA iyong mga gustong mamuhunan marine culture, aquaculture para maging sapat ang produksyon ng isda, kasama na rito iyong bangus, tilapia, hito, pompano at saka iyong shrimps at crabs. Alam natin na iyong Laguna de Bay ang isa sa pinakamalaking supplier ng isda sa Metro Manila, kasama na rito iyong iba pang karatig lugar,” DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said in a televised briefing.

Agriculture Secretary Tiu earlier said that the agency is looking at the revival of Laguna de Bay, the country’s largest freshwater lake, as a major fish source for Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

“So, hindi man DA iyong may sakop sa lawa, pero inatasan na ni Secretary Laurel ang BFAR, para pag-aralan kung paano mapataas ang production ng isda at naniniwala ang ating kalihim na kayang ibaba iyong presyo ng bangus sa Laguna de Bay ng 70 to 80 pesos lamang kada kilo,” De Mesa said.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department hopes that prices of round scad or galunggong, as well as other pelagic fish, will go down after government again allowed fishing for these species.

“Dahil nagsisimula na ulit iyong ating open season ngayong February-March, inaasahan natin na malaki iyong ibaba. Siguro hanggang 30% na presyo ng galunggong at iba pang pelagic fish,” De Mesa said.

Authorities earlier ordered the annual fishing ban for galunggong in Palawan last year to allow fish stocks to repopulate.