President Marcos on Thursday, Oct. 12, said the Philippines will soon acquire Avian Influenza vaccine, which is expected to revitalize the country’s poultry industry.

“Mayroon na pa lang bakuna ang Avian Influenza. So, mag-acquire na tayo ng Avian Influenza vaccine (There is a vaccine for Avian Influenza now. So, we will acquire Avian Influenza vaccine),” he said during an inauguration of the San Miguel megapoultry farm in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur.

“Iyong sa Avian Flu ay mukhang effective na kaya’t tayo --- bibili tayo para mabigyan natin, at mabawasan ‘yung mga kina-cull dahil tinamaan ng Avian Flu (The vaccine for Avian Flu looks effective---we will buy to provide, and reduce the number of those being culled due to Avian Flu),” he went on.

By acquiring appropriate interventions such as vaccines, Marcos, who concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture (DA), said the country can mitigate agricultural woes of diseases, which can negatively affect the Philippines’ food production.

The vaccine for Swine Flu, according to the Chief Executive, is still being piloted. 

“Hindi pa lumalabas. Hindi pa na-rollout (It hasn’t been released. Not yet rolled out),” he said.

Marcos said his administration puts a “high premium” on investments in agriculture.

“It (Agriculture) is the key to combatting hunger and poverty, and achieving our goal of food sufficiency and security across the country,” the President stressed.

The announcement of Marcos was welcomed by the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) and the Philippine Egg Board (PEB).

“Well, we asked for it since August last year so although late in coming, it is still great because this is the season for migratory birds,” said Gregorio San Diego, who heads UBRA and PEB.

Avian influenza or bird flu is a respiratory disease of birds caused by influenza A viruses, according to the US Department of Agriculture.