Kalibo, Aklan (CNN Philippines, July 7) — Iloilo City is prohibiting the entry of poultry and poultry products from areas affected by bird flu in Luzon and Mindanao for 30 days beginning Thursday.
Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas explained an executive order was issued to protect the city from the bird flu outbreak hitting parts of the country.
Exempted from the ban are transshipments of day-old chicks, day-old pullets, hatching eggs, and imported game fowls from international airports and sea ports.
Treñas said he received assurance from operators that they can supply the demand in the region despite the ban.
“In order to protect the industry here in Iloilo, Panay and Guimaras, the poultry operators came to me and told me they are very concerned,” he told CNN Philippines. “According to the poultry operators in Panay, they will be able to accommodate the demand.”
When asked if the ban could be extended, Treñas said it remains to be seen since they are having problems coordinating with the Department of Agriculture, which is currently headed by President Bongbong Marcos.
CNN Philippines’ Aklan-based correspondent Carla Doromal contributed to this report.
