NEWSFLASH

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RED TIDE GONE FROM MANILA, UP ELSEWHERE

Manila, Jan. 31, 1998 - Lovers of clams, oysters and mussels in the National Capital Region and Southern Tagalog may now consume as much of their favorite bivalves as they want. The government's Red Tide Task Force has pronounced the waters of Manila Bay safe and free of any signs of the poisonous red tide microorganism.

In a joint statement, Health Secretary Carmencita Reodica and Agriculture Secretary Salvador Escudero III said the monitoring task force conducted laboratory analysis of Manila Bay seawater and shellfish samples from January 17 to 26 and found no signs of the Gymnodinium catenatum, or red tide organism.

Meanwhile the red tide warning is still up over Masinloc waters in Zambales, Juag Lagoon in Sorsogon, Asid gulf in Masbate, Balite and Pulada Bays in Davao Oriental, Dumanquilas, Sibuguey and Illana Bays in Zamboanga del Sur, Cancabato Bay in Tacloban and Borobo and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur.

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