The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the region is going to verify the concrete status of Puerto Princesa Bay pertaining the shellfishes collected in the area.
This is after Palawan Daily News (PDN) inquired Thursday on why is Puerto Princesa Bay, in the two latest consecutive shellfish bulletins, was not included neither under the “red tide positive”, nor on the “free from toxic red tides” category.
Roberto Abrera, assistant regional director of BFAR-MIMAROPA told Palawan Daily News Thursday that while the exclusion of Puerto Princesa Bay from either of the two categories could somehow be considered as “its being continuously free” from toxic red tides beyond regulatory limit, he is still going to verify it for the public good.
“Tatlo ang talagang mino-monitor nating base diyan sa Palawan: Puerto Princesa Bay, Honda Bay, and Malampaya Sound. Iyong Puerto Princesa pala ngayon sa latest bulletin lumalabas na neither positive nor negative, parang silent doon. Pero ako ‘yong comprehension ko diyan, the fact na hindi naman siya nakasama, pini-presume natin na negative na rin,” said Abrera.
It was on March 20 when the City Government of Puerto Princesa through the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) released a local red tide warning.
However, BFAR’s Shellfish Bulletin No. 07 dated March 27 declared Puerto Princesa Bay free from red tide.
Following this declaration were two consecutive Shellfish Bulletins Nos. 8 and 9 dated April 2 and 20.
Puerto Princesa Bay was neither included under the positive, nor in the negative categories, within these two successive bulletins.
Abrera said he is going to clear the matter as soon as possible and forward the necessary information, for they are still at work amid enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) through a skeletal workforce.
Abrera said it is necessary that this be clarified for the certainty of the public.