November 6, 2014 — The threat from red tide spilled over to another town in western Pangasinan, prompting provincial agriculture officials to warn consumers and vendors.
Bani was among the areas threatened by red tide after seashell samples from the area tested positive for red tide toxins, GMA Dagupan’s Lilian Tiburcio reported Wednesday on GMA News TV’s “Balita Pilipinas Ngayon.”
Earlier, shellfish samples from the town of Alaminos had tested positive for red tide toxin.
“Sinabihan na natin ang mga consumers mga tindera ng mga shellfish na naka-ban ngayon ang pagkain ng ating mga lamang dagat,” said municipal agriculturist Daniel Dacanayan.
Local officials continue to inspect markets to see if they are selling local seashells.
Bani market supervisor Rolando Tugade said some vendors showed certificates that their catch is safe from red tide.
“Clear po ang red tide sa Bolinao at Anda, Pangasinan,” said vendor Noemi Ancheta.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ilocos director Nestor Domenden said they are relying on findings from monitoring activity and laboratory analysis.
In Dagupan City, the agriculture office tightened its monitoring of shellfish.
“Isolated areas naman tayo, pwedeng ibalik doon sa pinanggalingan and at a certain time, pag naging negative na ang quality ng water nila, wala nang harm, wala nang danger, puwede nang i-collect ito uli,” said city agriculturist Ema Molina. - GMA News