BFAR: Seashells in Cordova not yet safe for consumption

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 is still currently conducting further test on the seawaters of Cordova.

It warned that seashells in the area are still unsafe for human consumption since the occurrence of  the oil spill.

“So far, there is no declaration yet that seashells in Cordova are already fit for human consumption. Wala pa gyud kay sige pa mi panguha og samples,” said Alma Saavedra, BFAR-7 information officer.

Saavedra however said that fishes in the town especially the famous “bakasi” is already fit for human consumption.

“Ang mga isda okay na kaonon kay moving man gud na sila pero ang mga seashells, magpundo ra man gud na sila. There is no declaration yet nga okay na kaonon ang mga seashells,” she said.

Cordova is a coastal town wherein majority of the residents rely on fishing as their main livelihood.

Cordova’s massive mangrove  plantation is also considered as their tourist spot.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 earlier confirmed that 328 hectares of  mangrove plantations in the 12 barangays of Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City were severely and destroyed by the oil spill as a result of the collision last August 15 between MV St. Thomas Aquinas and MV Sulpicio Express Siete.

The DENR-7 also reported that the water quality on the portions of coastal waters of  Cordova town and Lapu-Lapu City  that were hit by the oil spill has significantly improved. — (FREEMAN)