Red Tide Advisory Remains in Bacolod City

Bacolod City (PNA) –- The red tide advisory remains in this city after coastal waters in three areas here were found positive for toxins almost a week ago.

Bacolod City Agriculture Officer Goldwyn Nifras said in a radio interview that another seawater sample testing will be conducted Monday.

“We will stick to the advisory until sample tests will show negative result,” he said.

Nifras said they have not received reports of food poisoning since the red tide alert was released by Acting Mayor Greg Gasataya last Dec. 23.

Laboratory test results released by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Provincial Marine Bio-Toxin Testing Center showed “a progressive increase in algal population in our coastal waters, hence, shellfish are expected to become toxic at anytime.”

Tested positive for red tide were the coastal waters of Punta Taytay, Magsungay, and Reclamation Area as these contained the toxic algal species of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum, the report said.

The report is based on the test conducted on the sea water samples taken from Dec. 14 and 17.

“The public is strongly advised to refrain from eating all types of shellfishes and acetes sp. (hipon) gathered from the coastal waters of the city until further notification,” Gasataya said.

Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are still safe for human consumption provided it is fresh and washed thoroughly and that its internal organs are removed before cooking, the advisory added.

Red tide alert was also raised in northern Negros, particularly E.B. Magalona town and cities of Victorias and Cadiz.

Mayor Patrick Escalante of Cadiz City has confirmed the occurrence of red tide in the coastal waters of Barangay Sicaba following a test conducted Wednesday.

E.B. Magalona Mayor David Lacson said that Barangay Manta-angan was also affected by red tide based on the test conducted a few days earlier. (PNA) JMC/NLG