ZAMBOANGA CITY - Zamboanga City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola has warned that cockfighters who bring their game fowls to areas with cases of Bird Flu might not be able to bring them back due to an existing order banning the entry of birds, fowls and other poultry products.
“Si tiene maga game fowls ay lleva na Manila para na derby unfortunately hende mas ay permiti kanila lleva otra vez aqui na ciudad (If there are game fowls brought to Manila for derbies, unfortunately, we cannot allow them again to be brought back to Zamboanga City),” said Arriola.
Arriola said chickens and ducks coming from other provinces without Bird Flu may enter Zamboanga City provided the owners secure a permit issued by the Department of Agriculture.
Executive Order 720 was issued by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on March 16, 2022 ordering the temporary ban on the entry of live birds from March 16 to April 15, 2022.
The ban also includes ducks, quails, embryonated chicks or “balut”, ready-to-lay pullets and other products and by-products from Luzon and other bird flu-affected areas.
The mayor has also ordered government personnel to strictly follow the order by implementing strict border control.
Arriola said they are monitoring the health status of poultry and livestock to prevent the entry of animal diseases such as Avian Influenza, Classical Swine Fever, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, and Foot and Mouth Disease.