Makati warns residents against eating fish from Pasig River

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City government on Thursday warned residents not to eat toxic fish caught in the Pasig River.

In a health advisory, the Makati Health Department (MHD) cautioned against eating bangus (milkfish) and tilapia (St. Peter’s fish) caught from the river as these are considered contaminated.

Makati City Health Officer Dr. Jocelyn Vaño issued the warning after residents from the city and neighboring areas were seen flocking to the Pasig River to catch tilapia and bangus which reportedly escaped from fish ponds in Rizal and Laguna that overflowed during the onslaught of typhoon Glenda on Wednesday.

Vaño said fish and other marine life caught from the Pasig River may contain a number of toxic chemicals, including methylmercury.

Methylmercury, said Vaño, has been found to be harmful to the nervous system and can cause mental and physical retardation in children, and can cause other diseases such as cancer.