Albay bars birds, poultry from other areas in Luzon

By Connie Calipay

The Albay provincial government of Albay on March 17 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 ,signed 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 borders of Albay-Camarines Sur, Tiwi-Camarines Sur and Libon-Camarines Sur were ordered to be established by uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in coordination with the provincial government of Albay through its veterinary 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 territorial jurisdiction to ensure the safety and well-being of the people, the EO stated. (With report from Bernadine Carretas/PNA-OJT)