Albay bars birds, poultry products from other Luzon provinces

Albay bars birds, poultry products from other Luzon provinces

LEGAZPI CITY – The provincial government of Albay on Thursday imposed a 30-day ban on the entry of domestic and wild birds, poultry products and by-products in the light of an outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in some provinces in Luzon.

Executive Order (EO) No. 08 series of 2022 issued by Governor Al Francis Bichara said precautionary measures must be imposed to protect the welfare of the public from the disease.

“Entry of domestic and wild birds and poultry products and by-products through any public or private vehicles from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Laguna into the province of Albay shall be strictly prohibited,” the EO read.

It added that all livestock transport and refrigerated vehicles coming from other regions shall present Disinfection Certificates issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) veterinary quarantine services and shall undergo disinfection at provincial quarantine checkpoints to be administered by Albay Veterinary Office personnel or they shall be denied entry for non-compliance.

Checkpoints at the Albay-Camarines Sur borders in towns of Tiwi and Libon in Albay were ordered established to be manned by uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in coordination with the Albay Veterinarian’s office.

Albay local chief executives and their respective agriculture offices are encouraged to monitor, trace or observe the sanctuaries, farms, facilities, if any, of birds and poultry within their respective jurisdiction to ensure the safety and well-being of the people. (With report from Bernadine Carretas/PNA-OJT)