CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Edwin Santiago on Monday, August 14, called for a consultative meeting to discuss contingency plans and strategies to keep the City of San Fernando free from the avian influenza or bird flu following the reported outbreak in San Luis town.
The meeting was attended by City Administrator Engr. Fernando Limbitco, City Agriculture and Veterinary Office headed by Cristina Sangumay, City Health Officer Dr. Eloisa Aquino, Veterinary Chief Division Dr. Ryan Paul Manlapaz, City Economic Enterprise Division Chief Mila Rivera and the meat vendors from the City Public Market Association represented by Secretary Cristina Lozano and president of Meat Vendors’ Association Arjel Aquino.
Santiago ordered the creation of a task force that will be in charge of the strict monitoring and surveillance of poultry products in all public and private markets in the city.
An agricultural checkpoint is also set to be implemented to temporarily ban the movement and trading of live or dressed birds such as chicken, ducks and quails, among others.
“Let us not create panic among ourselves. What is important is that we are prepared to ensure the safety of the Fernandinos. The better way to prevent this is through our united efforts towards a secured poultry production through proper food handling and strict monitoring,” Santiago said. (PR)