Manila, Sept. 17 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Cordillera region has assured that sayote grown here is safe and free from preservatives.

The statement came after a social media post alleged that sayote from Baguio is infused with formalin to prolong its freshness.

"We firmly deny this allegation. No formalin or any harmful substance is applied to Baguio sayote," the department said in a social media post on Wednesday.

"In reality, sayote is a naturally hardy vegetable that can last up to one month at room temperature when freshly harvested, particularly under the cool climate of the Cordillera region."

DA-Cordillera Director Jennilyn Dawayan, in a separate message to the Philippine News Agency, explained that sayote has...