News Briefs: Feb. 5, 2019

Red tide still affects eight areas across the country

Eight areas across the country remain affected by the red tide phenomenon, according to the latest bulletin from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Laboratory tests conducted by the BFAR and local governments show that Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte, Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur, the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Puerto Princesa Bay in Palawan, and the coastal waters of Pampanga and Bataan are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limit.

The BFAR said that all kinds of shellfish and krill-like prawns from areas under red tide alert must not be harvested, sold or eaten. —Karl R. Ocampo

Oil companies cut prices of diesel, gasoline

Pump prices of oil products declined after rising for four straight weeks as prices of Dubai crude dipped slightly in global markets.

Shell, Seaoil, PTT, Total, Unioil and Caltex announced a price reduction of 35 centavos per liter for diesel and 60 centavos per liter for gasoline.

Only Phoenix cut the price of gasoline by 65 centavos per liter. Shell, Seaoil and Caltex also cut the prices of kerosene by 20 centavos per liter.

Prices of Dubai crude, the bell­weather for Asian imports, eased to $59.08 on Jan. 31 from $59.23 per barrel on Jan. 25. Diesel and gasoline prices rose a total of P3.95 of P2.50 per liter, respectively last month. —Ronnel W. Domingo