LOCAL public officials have been busy posing in pictures to depict that our poultry are virus-free and safe for consumption.
Photos of “boodle fights” showing officials and some supporters in live action, however, showed blank expressions in their faces. If the eating demo was meant to arouse public confidence and fearless trust in the chicken feast, some participants appeared unconvincing. Less animated than kids lined up to a dental chair for extraction, they would not qualify for Colonel Sanders’ test for good housekeeping.
I heard President Duterte whom the Kapampangans like more than former Senator Roxas is coming town. Local VIPs have prepared a petition asking his intercession to restore normalcy in the poultry industry.
I believe that our man Digong comes to Pampanga to find the true state of avian pest that has ravaged the industry. But more than the fact-finding visit, he is more interested in the results of his war on drugs than what kind of virus hit the layers and broilers.
I expect that a chicken feast will be prepared for him to highlight his concern. I urge those in the photo ops to beam their killer smiles in solidarity to the President’s own killer instinct in the drug campaign. He will be the ultimate patron of edible chicken in the time of plague if gorges on roadside “kwek kwek.” Believe me, dining with this specialty will raise his image, anak ng put a hand on my shoulder.
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Pampanga officials must exercise patience and forbearance in the matter of the bird flu that hit the province. Mandated in the Bible is that there is a season for everything. This, too, shall pass away. We should not rush public acceptance of “doubtful” poultry products, rather wait for the epidemic to expire followed by an official health and safety clearance. The more local authorities shove down the products down the consumers in undisguised propaganda, the stronger is the resistance and the wider is the apprehension.
Vice Governor Dennis Pineda is a step ahead in image building for the governorship. At the risk of his health he was seen eating chicken with San Luis Mayor Asiong Macapagal and his staff. His rival Representative Rimpy Bondoc has yet to be pictured while munching on a roasted drumstick along with his sidekick Board Member Pol Balingit as they assault a tray of “day-olds” for effect.
Congressman Rimpy should even up the score by a photo showing him leading a culling session in that town with Board Member Pol Balingit in tow. Never mind if the bird flu disease is transmissible to humans. For Delta and Rimpy no threats of avian pest infection is a hindrance to winning the Capitol.
By the way, despite the poultry scare, we receive reports that diners flock to the Max Restaurant outlets in local malls and in the City of San Fernando to enjoy their weekly treat of Max chicken.
