Galunggong imports to arrive ahead of closed fishing season

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allowed the entry of up to 17,000 metric tons (MT) of round scad, commonly known as galunggong, which will reach markets ahead of the closed fishing season when supply of the fish is expected to dwindle. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol signed the Certificate of Necessity enabling the import of round scad on Wednesday. The timing of the permit will allow imports to arrive by Sept. 1. On Friday, the DA and the fisheries industry agreed to set a tariff rate of 5% for such imports.