Gov’t: No entry for tainted galunggong

Malacañang said that the government will not allow galunggong, or round scad, laced with formalin to enter the country, urging concerned agencies to address the issue.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III warned the public against the consumption of imported galunggong tainted with the dangerous chemical.

Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) has warned that China was using formalin to preserve their fish harvests.

In his Thursday press briefing, Roque said that there are measures that the government and the people can use if reports are true.

“If there really are such things, we have the DOH and the DA, and I know we have phytosanitary measures which we can use,” he said.

“So, I think the DA and the DOH have heard these allegations and I don’t think the government will allow the entry of these tainted fish products,” he added.

Last week, DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol approved the importation of up to 17 metric tons of galunggong from September to December this year to stabilize its price ahead of the closing of the fishing season.