Fish from Taal Lake safe for consumption — BFAR

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has cleared fish from Taal Lake safe for human consumption, even amid the unrest of Taal Volcano.

In an advisory, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said tests conducted by BFAR found that fishes are safe to eat, provided several conditions.

"DA-BFAR conducted laboratory analyses for water and fish samples in Taal Lake and advised that consumption of fish from Taal Lake is safe," the advisory read.

The DA noted, however, that the fish must be fresh and washed thoroughly, with gills and internal organs properly removed and cooked thoroughly.

BFAR is also set to provide assorted fingerlings -- 7 million tilapia; 20,000 freshwater shrimps; 50,000 catfish; 100,000 bighead carp; and 5,000 ayungin to affected areas.

Alert level 4 has already been raised since the eruption of Taal Volcano on January 12. The alert level means a hazardous eruption is "imminent."

The latest available government data indicates that damage to agriculture and livestock has already reached P3 billion.

For its part, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said it is already in the process of laying down the groundwork for the rehabilitation plan of areas affected. — RSJ, GMA News