MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will review the protocol for testing of red tide-affected areas.
BFAR director Asis Perez said water sampling should be conducted more frequently considering that many tested positive for red tide outside the normal occurrence period of March to April.
“This is an unfortunate incident and, of course, we do not want this to happen again. Our goal has always been to maintain zero casualty in the occurrence of red tide,” Perez said.
“We are also looking at the possibility of shortening the period needed for laboratory analysis,” he added.
Nestor Domenden, regional director of BFAR in La Union said he welcomes the investigation into the death of a person and hospitalization of 25 others in Bolinao town and in Masinloc, Zambales after eating tahong (mussels) last week.
The incident was blamed on the BFAR’s late issuance of a red tide warning.
Domenden said BFAR was not remiss in its job. “There were no lapses,” he said. – With Eva Visperas