Amid high price for galunggong, Agri chief Dar says: ‘Huwag ka na muna bumili ng galunggong... mayroong mas mura’

Agriculture Secretary William Dar has echoed the call of Senator Cynthia Villar that Filipinos should patronize other kinds of fish amid the rising price of round scad or galunggong.

“There are many other sources; fish…na puwede[ng] kainin. Huwag ka na muna bumili ng galunggong. Mayroong mas mura na available tulad ng bangus, tilapia,” said Dar, who was in the Senate Tuesday for his confirmation hearing.

“Let us not make galunggong the mainstay,” he added.

The DA has authorized the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to import 45,000 of fish last week, including galunggong.

“We have approved the importation of 45,000 metric tons of galunggong para maibaba ang presyo, but in the long term, huwag na tayong umasa sa galunggong lang,” Dar said.

“Maraming ibang sources ng protina,” Dar added.

Dar, however, assured the public that the supply of galunggong is expected to rise come harvest time in March next year.

“By harvest time, mas marami na [tayong] supply,” he said.

Dar, however, could not say if more supply would mean cheaper price for galunggong.

Senator Villar earlier said that people should do away with eating galunggong while the supply is tight.

“Eh, 'di 'wag kumain ng galunggong, di ba? There are other alternatives na pwedeng gawin. Bakit ba gustong-gusto niyo ‘yung galunggong kung mahal ang galunggong,” Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, told reporters. — RSJ, GMA News