FISH KILL. Authorities seized some 900 kilograms of bangus (milk fish) in Barangay Bonuan Gueset Dagupan City on Tuesday (Sept. 24, 2019). The City Health Office confirmed the milkfish died due to oxygen starvation, or locally known as “tangok”, which are not fit for human consumption. (Photo by Ahikam Pasion)
DAGUPAN CITY -- Authorities confiscated on Tuesday 900 kilograms of dead milkfish (bangus) due to oxygen depletion, or locally known as “tangok”, at Sitio Calamiong Barangay Bonuan Gueset.
City health officer, Dr. Ophelia Rivera confirmed that the milkfish died due to oxygen starvation.
“The gill of the milkfish is white, which is an evidence of oxygen depletion. The eyes of the milkfish should not be red if it is fresh,” she said in an interview.
She added the verifying factors to determine whether a fish died of tangok is through its body, noting that fresh fish has scales intact and its body should not be soft.
Rivera also warned the public against consumption of tangok as this may irritate the body, and worse, consumers could be poisoned.
Fish trader Evelyn Venancio and four others, all from Sual town, are facing charges for violation of Article 12, Section 37 of the Food Safety Act of 2013, Sanitation Code, Article 40 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and Section 73 of the Fisheries Code of Dagupan City.
Venancio said she was encouraged to sell tangok due to its profitability.
She said with a capital of PHP25 per kilogram, she could sell it up to PHP40 per kg.
She said the tangok was harvested from Sual town, and is set to be delivered to Villasis. They, however, made a side trip in Dagupan City.
“Papunta na sana kami ng Villasis, kaso may buyer kami sa Dagupan, nag-order ng 300 kilos (We were bound to Villasis town but we have a buyer in Dagupan City who ordered 300 kilos),” Venancio said.
A concerned citizen then spotted the illegal activity and decided to call the police who immediately confiscated the tangok.
Authorities burned and buried the seized fish.
They also urged the public to carefully examine fish products before buying. (PNA)
