Bird flu-hit Philippines poultry farms in 49 villages get P3.6-M aid

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has distributed a total of PHP3.6 million to indemnify poultry farms affected by the avian influenza virus or bird flu in the country, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said Thursday. In a virtual briefing, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes said the PHP3,608,630 indemnification serves as compensation in exchange for culled animals, particularly ducks, quails, and native chickens in 49 barangays in five regions in the country. The indemnification particularly corresponds to PHP100 per duck or native chicken, and PHP15 per quail culled. BAI Director Reildrin Morales said the DA has allotted an initial amount of PHP25 million from their quick response fund for the indemnification program. To date, 70 cases of bird flu have been reported in 10 regions in the country, yet 67 of these have already been resolved. Morales reminded backyard farmers to maintain biosafety measures since the virus is suspected to have been spread by ...