CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The provincial government of Misamis Oriental has allowed the entry of cooked poultry products in the province from the areas that have been affected by the Avian Influenza virus (Bird flu), the Provincial Veterinary Office (ProVet) announced on Monday, April 11.
Dr. Benjamin Resma, the provincial veterinarian, during the flag raising in the provincial capitol, said the changes were implemented in accordance to the new executive order issued by provincial Governor Yevgeny Vicente Emano recently.
“Right now, we allow cooked, processed cooked poultry and by poultry products. Again, for those cooked only. But fresh, live, especially eggs and fertilized duck eggs (balut), we still prohibit them from entering the province,” Resma said.
It can be recalled that the provincial government has previously implemented a full ban of poultry products from the affected areas after the detection of Bird flu in Luzon, particularly in Pampanga and Bulacan.
As to the reason for the said changes, the provincial veterinarian explained to Manila Bulletin that the virus can be killed if the poultry products are well-cooked.
Resma also clarified that poultry suppliers - whether live or processed cooked products - from the areas that are not affected by the bird flu, can still transport their supply inside the province.
However, Resma said the ProVet's monitoring team will be stricter in monitoring the entry of these products and urged the suppliers to secure the necessary documents.
For live ducks and chickens, the suppliers must secure a shipping permit. For dressed chickens, the certificate from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) must be presented; and for the processed cooked products, the suppliers must present a license to operate (LTO) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The provincial government, Resma said, has been continuously implementing strict border restrictions, especially that the bird flu virus has already entered Mindanao, particularly in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat and in Magsaysay town in Davao del Sur.
"Again, the avian influenza is getting closer and closer in the province of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. However, we are doing our best to prevent the bird flu from entering the province," Resma said.
The ProVet recently collected 29 samples of chickens and ducks from Alubijid town, and 30 samples each from the towns of Gitagum, Initao, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Naawan, Opol, and El Salvador City.
The samples were found negative after they were tested in the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) of the Department of Agriculture regional office of Northern Mindanao (DA-10).
With the use of intensive monitoring, Resma assured that chicken supply in Misamis Oriental and the city is safe.