Solons hold ‘tilapia, bangus’ eating sessions

In the face of the widespread fish scare over the massive fishkill that devastated fish-farming areas in Batangas and Pangasinan, legislators investigating the incident on Wednesday led their staff and officials from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in feasting on bangus (milkfish) and tilapia dishes in Congress.

The fish were said to have been harvested from Taal Lake in the morning and cooked immediately after they were bought.

“It’s safe and nutritious,” said Cebu 4th District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, who chairs the committee on aquaculture and fisheries that is conducting a probe with the committee on agriculture.

“We hope we can help remove the stigma on these products and help our industry,” said Rep. Sonny Collantes, whose congressional district covers Taal Lake which was heavily affected by the fishkill.

Agham party-list member Angelo Palmones said it was safe to eat bangus and tilapia as long as these are bought fresh from the market.

“What we’re trying to correct is the perception that it is toxic and this is the best way we can help our fisherfolk who are affected by the incident whose livelihood comes from bangus and tilapia,” said Bukidnon Rep. Jesus Emmanuel Paras who had suggested the bangus-and-tilapia eating session.

However, the session was marred by an angry exchange between Salimbangon and Batangas Rep. Mark Leandro Mendoza, chair of the agriculture committee, on one side and Capiz Rep. Jane Castro.

Castro had sarcastically remarked that the bangus and tilapia should have been better fed to the crocodiles in the zoo, not the “crocodiles” in the House.

Salimbangon and Mendoza angrily ordered the statement to be stricken off the record.

An unrepentant Castro, however, insisted that she had been hearing rumors about crocodiles in Congress, adding that it was a matter of public knowledge.

She later backtracked after seeing the angry, red faces of Salimbangon and Mendoza. She said the rumor probably referred to the previous Congresses and not members of the current 15th Congress who are supposed to be following the “daang matuwid” (straight path).

This further angered Mendoza who protested, “I was also in the 14th Congress!” To which Castro retorted, “so was my husband.”

The verbal tussle came to an end only when Salimbangon repeated that the statement be stricken off the record and proceeded to ask for the next question.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) meanwhile assured its members suffering food poisoning from eating spoiled fish that the illness is compensable. PhilHealth will provide financial coverage for hospitalization and medication.