‘Tamban’ or sardinella fish.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said she was disappointed with the fisherfolk of Malabuyoc town, southern Cebu for disposing of tubs filled with “tamban” or sardinella fish, believed to be “poisonous” by locals.
During last Monday’s press conference, Magpale recalled to reporters that she visited one of the barangays in Malabuyoc town two weeks ago and saw fisherfolk there dispose of tubs filled with “tamban.”
The vice governor presented a dish of “tamban” fish that she cooked and asked reporters to taste it, saying it is safe to eat.
“Tilawi ninyo og makahilo ba. Sayang kaayo ni kay ilabay ra ni didto sa Malabuyoc (Taste it if it is poisonous. This would be a waste if it will be thrown),” she said.
Magpale, a degree holder in food technology, said she decided to bring some of the “tamban” back home and cook it, before bottling it like the sardines cooked by food companies.
Properly prepared
She said her family ate it with rice and none of her family members complained of stomach pain or diarrhea.
Andres Bojos, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said “tamban” isn’t poisonous.
“For the consumers who have less knowledge on fishes especially when they eat it raw or if it is not fresh, nor properly prepared, they may experience stomachaches,” Bojos said.
Bojos said only puffer fish and barracuda are poisonous due to its toxins which are a hundred times more lethal than cyanide.
He said it’s possible that some people made the mistake of cooking “tamban” with the puffer fish or ate them raw and got sick afterwards.
Bojos said while “tamban” isn’t abundant in Malabuyoc town, disposing of it would be a waste because it can feed hundreds of households. He asked the town fisherfolk to give it to their office.
“We’ll buy it so that we can feed it to the grouper fish that we are raising,” said Bojos.
Cebu Daily News tried but was unable to contact Malabuyoc Mayor Lito Creus and Vice Mayor Junjun Creus for their side on the issue.