ROXAS City – Shellfish growers in this city affected by paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) or toxic red tide received aid from the provincial government of Capiz.
The distribution of food packs to 600 registered shellfish growers was led by Gov. Fredenil Castro and the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) represented by Paolo Roxas, together with Mayor Ronnie Dadivas on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
Bulletin No. 21 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), dated Sept. 8, reported that shellfish collected and tested from coastal waters of Roxas City, in the towns of Panay, Pilar, President Roxas, and the Sapian Bay (in Ivisan and Sapian towns) in Capiz province are still positive for PSP of toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit.
BFAR then reiterated that all types of shellfish and Acetes sp., or alamang, gathered from the said areas were unsafe for human consumption.
Fish, squid, and crab are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
“Akon gid ginapasalamatan ang pag-ulingag sa mga manugpanginhas sang Roxas City nga apektado na naman sang red tide… agud masiguro nga samtang ginadumilian pa ang pagkuha sang panginhason, may makaon ang ila pamilya,” said Dadivas.
The shellfish growers were also chosen as beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.
Also present during the aid distribution were Vice Gov. James Magbanua, Board Members Thea Faith Reyes and Trina Almalbis, Roxas City’s vice mayor Inday Teresa Almalbis and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Roxas.
“Naapresyar gid namon ang pag-ulingag ni Gov. Oto, Mayor Ronnie, GRF kag Toto Paolo sa amon sitwasyon. Nalipay kami nga bisan ari kami diri sa dalum nadumduman nila kami nga buligan. Magutuman gid amon pamilya kon wala sang magabulig kag magdugay pa ang red tide,” said Dodoy, a shellfish grower from Barangay Barra.
The Shellfish Bulletin No. 21 also confirmed the presence of red tide in shellfish collected from coastal waters of Altavas, Batan, and New Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan, and in Gigantes Islands in Carles, Iloilo./PN
