Guv to consider closing poultry farms in Asturias

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III will recommend the closure of poultry farms in Asturias town once it is proven that the infestation of flies is caused by the gross negligence of the owners.

Davide is concerned about the health condition of the residents in the town, located in midwest Cebu.

Davide said he has ordered a team from the disaster office to go to Asturias to also look into the concern of residents regarding fly infestation.

"I saw photos of flies, perting bagaa gyod," he said.

The disaster office is expected to submit a recommendation to Davide after the ocular inspection so he can come up with a directive on the matter.

Davide said his order would be based on the PDRRMO's recommendation as to whether or not to shut down the poultry farms.

"It depends. Mag-agad ra gyod ta sa recommendation sa disasters," he said.

Dr. Rene Catan, chief of Cebu Provincial Health Office, has confirmed "abnormal" number of flies in Asturias.

"Abnormal volume sa langaw. Grabe kadaghan," Catan said.

He added that they have conducted misting operations in the town to somehow prevent the influx of flies. However, he said misting is just a short-term solution.

"This is just a stop gap and not a solution to this problem," he said.

Residents have already voiced concern for their health, with others reportedly already falling ill due to the presence of flies.

The affected residents have blamed poultry operations for their fly woes.

Catan said he cannot see any other cause of the swarm of flies in the town other than poultry operations since poultry farms are ideal breeding environment for flies.

He explained that this month is the breeding season for flies which by nature, prefer to live in areas with high moisture such as poultry farms.

With this, he urged the poultry owners in Asturias to observe sanitation and be responsible in disposing poultry wastes.

It was earlier reported that bags of poultry wastes were given out to farmers to serve as organic fertilizers. Those that were unused were reportedly just left in the open, attracting flies.

He also asked the private sectors, particularly the pest control experts to help and assist the province in eliminating or lessening the flies in the town.

Catan said they will review and check whether or not the poultry owners have permits and environmental compliance certificate, among others.

He added they will also determine the liabilities of the poultry farm owners, as well the residents, who reportedly singed waivers prior to the construction of poultry farms since 2011.

He said poultry owners, concerned residents and representatives from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be convened next week to address the issue.

Capitol officials have initially met with Asturias town officials and other concerned parties Thursday noon at the governor's conference room.

Davide has called on the Asturias town officials to also look into the plight of the residents, saying they are the ones responsible for the issuance of a license to operate to the poultry owners.

The town is already taking precautionary measures, one of which is using a method called "charring" to dry out chicken dung so it can be used as fertilizers and would not attract flies.

Despite the fly infestation, Catan said no one so far has acquired any contagious disease because of flies.

He, however, said the residents and the town officials should not be complacent considering that flies are carriers of contiguous diseases.

He urged the residents to put screens to prevent flies from entering into their homes.

"The easiest way are to install screens and to observe cleanliness in our surrounding," he said. (FREEMAN)