THREE years after I returned to Bohol, I finally experienced how most of my fellow Boholanos stretched their patience and suffered in resentful silence about the high cost of fish in—wonder of all wonders—an island-province surrounded by the sea! Go figure!
Not only that, but the prices of vegetables and fruits are also steep. Not to be outdone, the cost of pork has risen, too. When can we ever find relief from this situation, pray tell?
The natural inclination of people is to conclude that everything is pricey in Bohol because it’s a tourist destination. In essence, our prices are driven by tourism. Really? It’s comical, even absurd, to resign ourselves to this idea. So, we cannot live a regular life paying regular prices because we’re a tourist spot. That’s our excuse?
We forget that we have a government that has the power to regulate prices and a local government unit that is empowered to initiate intervention activities that will confront the problem head-on. What’s the use of government then, if we keep on rationalizing the situation, dismissing it, or attributing it to something else? If we do that, then no solution is forthcoming. It’s easier to blame external factors rather than face the challenge directly.
Funny, but during election campaign seasons, including the recent 2025 elections, people heatedly voiced the “pricey fish issue,” while the politicians wooing the votes assuaged their anger. Then they win, and almost conveniently, the complaint is forgotten. Politicians—dynastic politicians—come and go, recycling themselves in positions they fancy, but the prohibitive cost of fish has never been resolved. If we measure their performance against these basic necessities, these so-called leaders fall short and are found wanting.
Instead of resolving an issue that has plagued Boholanos for years, they prioritize projects that benefit the capitalists, in the guise of progress. And yet a basic need is cast aside. Why so? Let’s not humor ourselves. We always use the “benefits” of projects as an inducement to generate support from the very people who, ironically, are still distressed by the pricey fish of the island-province. How do you balance your so-called benefits vis-à-vis the high cost of necessities?
In these parts, it seems governance has become a circus. Consistent vlogging like your life depended on it—ah, but your political life must really rest on it, unending posting of events accompanied by photos, some of which didn’t even happen, showing off your present status—it must be satisfying to do that, huh, mocking your critics, flaunting your faces on tarpaulins to imitate celebrities for maximum exposure, among others, is not what public service is all about. Public service is demonstrated through well-thought-out programs, well-planned activities, and genuine services that benefit the people, and these are provided by the government. Public service is embodied in the commitment and dedication of individuals working in these areas to improve the lives of the people inhabiting the community, the Boholano community.
We have seen your faces during the campaign season, we have heard your sloganeering, we know of political patronage, and we experienced shameless vote-buying in these parts, and we’re done with that. Enough with the “dreamy celebrity status,” and buckle down to work.
Back to fish. I read a recent post that ambitiously plans to address the perennial fish problem. I asked myself if this is not a band-aid solution. Worse, is it being thought about only because there is a strong clamor? Is this approach a product of holistic study and research to ensure its sustainability? Or is it a fad? If it is a fad, it will surely die a natural death without achieving its purpose.
Oh well, maybe life’s like that in Bohol. Maybe elections are the greatest equalizer. Your votes are bought, so shut up and live with the consequences.
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Woman Talk with Belinda Sales is taking a wellness break. You may send your email to belindabelsales@gmail.com. Follow us on X at @ShilohRuthie./PN
I too am from Bohol but now lives in Siquijor but we go to Bohol at least thrice in a year. True it is that prices of fish there are too high. Not only fish but other food items. Once, we went to Panglao and had our dinner in a restaurant in Alona beach. We were so stunned upon learning that the price of a cup of rice was P70.00. LGUs must come up with solutions to address this problem. Our locals especially bear this problem most