Ahead of Holy Week, a period when Catholics traditionally abstain from eating meat, prices of fish products have increased due to a surge in demand. According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), prices of bangus rose from P140 to P250 per kilo on March 18 to P150 to P220 per kilo on March 21, while local galunggong prices increased from P180 to P280 per kilo on March 18 to P180 to P300 per kilo on March 21. DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa anticipates a further 10% to 20% price increase from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday, but does not see a need for a price ceiling.