Gov’t discourages fish consumption in Cavite over oil spill effects

Metro Manila, Philippines — The government has cautioned people in Cavite against consuming fish produce based on water quality in relation to a sunken oil tanker.

The water testing results were in light of the oil spill from MTKR Terranova that capsized and sank in waters off Limay, Bataan on July 25. The tanker carried 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel.

“In the province of Cavite, fish and shellfish samples collected are still not safe for human consumption based on sensory evaluation,” the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said in a bulletin on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Samples from Bataan, Bulacan, and Pampanga, as well as Navotas, Manila, Parañaque, and Las Piñas in Metro Manila were free from oil and grease contamination, the BFAR said.

Tests for presence of harmful contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for Bataan and Bulacan specimens also showed that chemical concentrations were “significantly below levels of concern and pose no significant risk to public health,” the bureau also reported.

The Philippine Coast Guard on Wednesday reported the completed installation of the flange valve plate and hot tapping operation on the ‘Terranova,’ as siphoning efforts of the salvor, Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc., has begun.

The governments of Bataan and Cavite have declared a state of calamity due to the oil spill. The Department of Agriculture said this has affected more than 28,000 fisherfolk, according to an Aug. 7 bulletin.