MANILA – The galunggong that is expected to arrive on the first week of September will cost between P75 and P80 pesos per kilo.
On Wednesday, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) inspected galunggong sold at various wet markets.
Samples were brought to the laboratory to be tested for formaline after local fisherfolk organization, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), claimed that importers use the chemical to preserve frozen fish.
The galunggong are sold at P100 to P150 per kg in another market these are sold up to P200. The cheapest are the frozen galunggong that are sold at P100 per kg.
There are, however, some vendors who refuse to sell frozen galunggong as they prefer fresh fish.
Earlier, in an interview, BFAR director Eduardo Gongona dismissed fears over the imported fish and reiterated there were measures implemented to prevent the distribution of spoiled fish.
“Hindi naman kami papayag niyan na may makapasok diyan sa wet market na makakasira sa kalusugan natin,” Gongona said.
“So ang aming mga, ‘yung second boarder inspection, mga tao namin in charge ng mga laboratory, in charge ng importation, in charge ng lahat ng pangangalaga para maayos ‘yang mga pupunta na produkto, lalo na ‘yung galunggong na pupunta doon sa wet market ay maayos,” he added.
The BFAR also clarified it was not the first time the country will import galunggong.
“The country has been, in fact, importing fresh/chilled/frozen fish and fishery/aquatic products including galunggong only for canning and processing purposed including importation undertaken by institutional buyers like hotels and restaurants as allowed by the law since years ago,” the agency said in a statement. (GMA News)
