(Photo courtesy of PTV) LEGAZPI CITY - Coastal areas in Masbate province remain positive for red tide toxin, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Bicol (BFAR-5) said Monday. Citing the latest laboratory results of the collected shellfish samples, Nonie Enolva, BFAR-5 spokesperson, said the presence of toxic red tide in shellfish meat is still beyond the regulatory limit. "Based on the laboratory examination conducted by the BFAR-National Fisheries Laboratory last Feb. 10, 2023, shellfish meat samples collected from the coastal water of Milagros town in Masbate among others are still positive with paralytic shellfish poison (PSP)," she said in an interview. Enolva said that from Oct. 7, 2022 to date, Milagros waters are being monitored to guard public health and protect the shellfish industry. BFAR also warned the public to refrain from gathering, transporting, selling, buying, and eating all types of shellfish and alamang (small shrimp) from the affected coastal wate
(File photo) MANILA - The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has expressed its support for the pediatric vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years old against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). In a statement, the PMA warned that Covid-19 directly affects children and could put them at risk of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). "While it is true that most present as mild or asymptomatic cases, some may develop more serious consequences such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, and even death," the group said in a statement. The pandemic, it said, has adversely affected the growth, mental health, learning, and health-seeking behaviors of children and their families. The group said it fully supports the efforts of the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force against Covid-29 (NTF) to protect the Filipino children against Covid-19 through vaccination. It noted that the available Covid-19 vaccines for the 5-11 age group have