ILOILO – Following the confirmation of cases of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in Capiz, the Iloilo provincial government, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), directed all livestock technicians and municipal agriculture offices (MAOs) throughout the province to increase their monitoring for unusual deaths of live animals, particularly layer and broiler chickens.
According to Iloilo provincial veterinarian, Dr. Darel Tabuada, any report of unusual deaths should prompt a surveillance and investigation to determine the cause of death.
“Dapat visit gid sila sa farm every time nga may unusual death sa mga kasapatan, dapat report gid,” said Tabuada in an interview with Panay News on Monday morning.
As explained by Tabuada, they want to secure the livelihood of farmers since African Swine Fever (ASF) hit the province and several shifted into poultry.
As for an estimated number of poultry in the province, the PVO is still collecting data.
Meanwhile, to ensure that poultry from Capiz province does not enter Iloilo, border checkpoints have already been set up by the provincial government in coordination with the towns bordering Capiz and Iloilo starting Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4.
Particularly mentioned by Tabuada are San Rafael and Balasan towns, and Passi City.
Checkpoints are managed by the PVO personnel, Philippine National Police, and personnel from concerned local government units (LGUs).
“We informed sang aton livestock technician kag MAOs to monitor sang movement sang live animals especially ang indi halin sa Iloilo,” added the provincial veterinarian.
Executive Order (EO) No. 572-2022, dated Saturday, Dec. 3, issued by Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, governor-in-charge, temporarily bans entry to the province of domestic and captured wild (ornamental) birds, poultry products, and by-products from the province of Capiz from Dec. 3 to 13, 2022.
After Dec. 13, the PVO will assess the situation in Capiz, particularly whether the recently confirmed bird flu cases were contained and its source identified. Then the Iloilo provincial government will decide whether to extend the ban or have it lifted.
However, Tabuada clarified that they only allow poultry to pass from Capiz going to Negros Occidental and Iloilo City via Iloilo province since these concerned LGUs have not yet issued a ban order.
“Ang movement within the province of Iloilo or sa sulod sang probinsya ang destination, indi puede kasulod. Pero may ara man shipment ang Capiz nga dal-on nila sa Negros, Bacolod or Iloilo City we will allow nga mag-agi pero basta importante didto sa point destination. Maagi lang sila sa aton,” explained Tabuada.
Shipments bound to Negros Occidental and Iloilo City, when passing through the province, should present a shipping permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture at checkpoints.
“Tungod we are an agricultural province, daku gid ang impact sini. That is why kinahanglan ta i-contain, kinahanglan indi na maigu sang bird flu. At least biskan paano maka-survive aton farmers,” said Tabuada.
The provincial veterinarian assured the public, especially the poultry farmers, that the provincial government and the PVO can manage containing the bird flu despite having their hands full with concerns brought by ASF./PN
