MANILA: The Department of Agriculture (DA) warned the public on Friday against consumption of fish and other seafood products with traces of petrochemicals in some parts of Cavite.
This came following the oil spill from the sunken motor tanker (MT) Terra Nova near the coast of Lamao Point in Limay, Bataan on July 25.
‘Ang delikado kasi rito ay iyong food poisoning na pwedeng ma-experience ng ating mga kababayan kaya iyon ang naging abiso (The danger now is the risk of food poisoning that may be experienced by our people, hence, the advisory),’ DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.
According to the BFAR’s Bataan Oil Spill Bulletin No. 2, fish samples in Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite showed a degree of ‘tainting with petrochemicals.’
It added that fish and shellfish in areas with observed oil slick were deemed ‘unsafe for human consumption.’
‘Doon sa katabing bayan ng Naic at iba pang bayan ay medyo negative naman. Pero as a precautionary measure ay
ipinagbawal na nang tuluyan ng BFAR iyong pagkain ng isda, lalo na iyong (In nearby towns like Naic and other towns, it’s somehow negative. But as precautionary measure, the BFAR has prohibited the consumption of fish, especially) shellfish,’ De Mesa said, referring to negative results from samples taken in Tanza and Cavite City.
Continuous monitoring is being conducted to prevent the sale of tainted fish products in local markets.
‘Sa ngayon, binabantayang maigi ng BFAR nang maigi iyong mga landings natin. Gaya diyan sa Noveleta, sa iba pang lugar, para masigurado (For now, the BFAR is closely monitoring our landings. Just like in Noveleta and in other areas just to be sure),’ De Mesa said.
The BFAR is currently conducting sensory evaluation in Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon to identify traces of oil and grease, to be followed by laboratory testing to check on the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), considered harmful substances.
The DA, meanwhile, is set to distribute fuel a
ssistance worth PHP3,000 to each affected fisherfolk, alongside their possible inclusion in the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
It is also exploring other avenues to utilize its quick response fund (QRF) amounting to PHP1 billion to aid affected fisherfolk.
Source: Philippines News Agency