Manila fish supply enough even as Taal ravages neighboring source: Isko

Manila has enough supply of tilapia and bangus even after Taal Volcano ravaged fishpens in neighboring Laguna and Batangas provinces, Mayor Isko Moreno said Wednesday. 

Fishcage owners in Cordillera and Central Luzon have agreed with the local government to bring their harvest to Manila, Moreno told radio DZMM. 

"Wala silang dahilan para magtaas ng presyo (they have no reason to raise prices," he said of retailers the capital. 

Taal on Sunday belched a giant ash column that reached Manila and left at least P577 million worth of damage to Calabarzon region's agriculture sector, authorities said. 

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Meanwhile, Moreno announced that vendors will be banned from Recto Avenue, and Ilaya and Padre Rada streets in Tondo from Jan. 17 to 19, to give way to a procession of the Child Jesus. 

"May karne, isda, gulay — kumakatas iyan sa kalsada... Dadaan iyong tao, gusto namin wala munang amoy," the mayor said. 

(Meat, fish and vegetables are sold there, their juices seep onto the street. When the procession passes by, we want the area to be free of stench.)