A party-list lawmaker on Wednesday snapped at the Department of Agriculture for its planned importation of around 17,000 metric tons of galunggong (round scads), saying the move was not only an insult to Filipino fishers but would kill their livelihood. ‘‘When it comes to plugging the problem of skyrocketing prices of basic goods, the Duterte [administration] has become addicted to importation not to fill up the supply but in fact to suppress the inflation which was caused mainly by the implementation of his flagship tax-raising project, the [Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion] law,” Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao said. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has allowed the importation of fresh and/or frozen round scad for 90 days starting Sept. 1 to ease the tight supply of commercial fishes, thus reducing the price of this fish staple.

Cruz, M., Campos, O. V. & Ramos-Araneta, M. (2018, August 23). Oh my GG! Fish import plan triggers protest. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.