DA: Red Tide ban in Las Piñas lifted

The Department of Agriculture has lifted the ban on the gathering of shellfish at the Manila Bay, particularly near the Las Piñas area, after results of laboratory tests on shellfish meat samples proved negative for toxins.

But the ban on shellfish gathering in Masinloc, Zambales; Mandaon and Milagros in Masbate; Dumanguilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur and Balite Bay, Mati, Davao Oriental remains, according to Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Leonardo Montemayor citing a report of the Red Tide Task Force.

In its report, the Red Tide Task Force also declared the following areas as free from red tide toxins: Cavite, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan waters in Manila Bay; Malampaya in Palawan; Banago waters in Bacolod City; Victorias waters in Negros Occidental; Sapian Bay and Tinagong Dagat in Capiz; Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; Calbayog waters in Calbayog City; Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City; Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Illana and Sibuguey Bays in Zamboanga del Sur and Taguines in Camiguin Island.

Likewise, Alamang from red tide-affected areas is not safe for human consumption, Montemayor said. — Rose De La Cruz