CEBU CITY -- Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has widened the coverage of her order banning the entry of live poultry and poultry products into the province.
Last March 8, the governor issued an Executive Order (EO) banning the entry into the province of poultry products and by-products from Luzon.
Now, even the live poultry, poultry products and pet birds Mindanao and countries affected by bird flu are no longer allowed to enter Cebu under the governor’s new executive order.
The 45-day ban took effect last April 9, said provincial veterinarian Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy.
Live poultry and poultry products coming from bird flu-free areas will be allowed entry subject to inspection and presentation of regulatory documents.
The governor said the measure is meant to protect the province’s P12-billion poultry industry.
“While the province continues to remain free of the avian influenza (AI) virus, the recent AI outbreaks from the provinces of Luzon and Mindanao continue to pose a threat to the P12-billion poultry industry in Cebu,” the governor said.
The governor instructed the Mactan Cebu International Airport, municipal and city mayors, police, Coast Guard, ports authority, airline operators and shipping lines to “strictly implement the order.”