The shellfish ban remains in effect in Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar and the coastal waters of Leyte, Leyte, after recent laboratory tests confirmed the presence of red tide toxins in shellfish and water samples. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said shellfish collected from Matarinao Bay, covering the coastal towns of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo, tested positive for saxitoxin, a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.

Shellfish ban remains in 2 Eastern Visayas bays due to red tide. (2026, February 1). Manila Bulletin, p. 8.