BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he respects the sentiments of Victorias City mayor Javier Miguel Benitez over the recent disposal of P1.4 million worth of eggs, but stressed that the provincial government could not take chance due to the threat posed by avian influenza (AI) or bird flu.
The provincial government is very serious about preventing the entry of bird flu in Negros Occidental to protect its P8-billion poultry industry, said Lacson yesterday.
“Our livelihood, especially pork or chicken, we will continue to protect from threats. We must remember that losing these industries will have long-term effects on our province. We cannot afford [it],” Lacson pointed out.
The governor said the eggs’ shipment documents were “dubious” pointing out that the shipper’s business was pork.
“What were they doing with eggs? That was very questionable,” Lacson added.
Last week, authorities burned down 240,000 pieces of eggs intercepted in the city’s BREDCO port, sparking a backlash from local residents and netizens.
“Pwede man lang madonar ang amo nga mga itlog sa mga tawo nga gina-gutom,” Benitez said on Facebook.
December last year, both the city and provincial governments signed a joint executive order prohibiting the entry of live birds and poultry products from areas affected by bird flu, particularly Luzon, Mindanao, Panay Island, and Guimaras./PN
