CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured that President Rodrigo Duterte is all out in his support for affected farmers of the avian influenza outbreak in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija.
This, as the President vowed all possible support for those affected. It could be recalled that the avian flu outbreak was first reported in San Luis town in Pampanga.
Recently, the Bureau of Animal Industry confirmed similar cases in Jaen and San Isidro towns of Nueva Ecija.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said that Duterte assured Central Luzon farmers whose poultry and duck farms were depopulated because of the bird flu outbreak of help from government. This is true for farms in Nueva Ecija which are now undergoing the culling process after the process had been ended in Pampanga.
The DA needs about P100-million in calamity assistance.
"At least 36 poultry and duck farms will be depopulated with an estimated 600,000 heads of fowls with a total compensation of P52.8-million. Additional expenses will also be incurred in rehabilitating the farms after the quarantine ban is lifted, including livelihood assistance for farm workers who will be displaced," Piñol said.
The DA said that the President was also informed that a battalion of army soldiers will be engaged in the culling and burying of the chicken and ducks.
