Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol yesterday confirmed test results showing that there was no formalin present in galunggong (round scad) but remained firm that his department will proceed with its plan to import the fish. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director and Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona earlier said no formalin was injected in the samples of galunggong collected from Balintawak Market, Cubao Farmer’s Market and Navotas Fish Port. “It must be noted however that based on the laboratory analysis, low levels of formaldehyde were detected,” Gongona said, adding that formaldehyde naturally develops when fish dies.

Pareño, R. & Simeon L. M. (2018, August 25). No formalin in galunggong; importation to proceed. The Philippine Star, p. 4.