MANILA, Philippines — If prices of galunggong (round scad) are too high, the public should not eat it and find other food alternatives instead.

This was Senator Cynthia Villar’s advice when sought for her comment Tuesday regarding the rising prices of what was once called a poor man’s fish.

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According to Villar, chair of Senate committee on agriculture, food and agrarian reform, high demand for round scad would only “encourage” the market to increase its price.

“Ako naman, kung mahal ang galunggong, eh ‘di ‘wag kumain ng galunggong ‘di ba? Ibig sabihin, there are other alternative food na pwedeng gawin,” Villar said in an interview.

(For me, if the prices of round scad are high, don’t eat it then. What I mean is that there are other food alternatives.)

“Bakit ba gustong-gusto ‘yung galunggong kung kulang ang galunggong? Eh lalong nae-encourage ‘yung price increase. Ba’t ayaw kumain ng gulay?” Villar also said.

(Why do they like round scad when it is scarce? It only encourages the price increase. Why do they not like eating vegetables?)

“Kanina lang nagle-lecture ako sa mga nag-aral sa aming farm school, nag-graduation, nile-lecture-an ko sila na kumain na lang kayo ng gulay. Mas healthy ‘yun,” she added.

(A while ago, I was lecturing students of our farm school who graduated. I told them to just eat vegetables. It’s healthier.)

The Department of Agriculture earlier said it is considering to import round scad because it has become expensive due to low supply.

Edited by KGA

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