BACOLOR -- What was supposedly a happy gathering on the table during the holiday season turned out to be a headache for the residents here after some villages were swarmed with flies.
The fly infestation, which started before the Christmas Eve, is now the center of complaints of hundreds of people living in the most affected barangays -- Santa Barbara and San Antonio.
According to the residents, flies swarm their tables and houses causing a worry on the possible health risks it may cause.
“Hindi ka makapag-iwan ng pagkain o kahit baso lang ng tubig sa mesa, sigurado dadagsain ng mga langaw iyan. Kahit mga bubog lang ng pagkain sa lupa, talagang pinagpipyestahan ng langaw na hindi naman sadyang nangyayari,” a resident who requested anonymity said.
(You cannot leave any food or at least a glass of water on the table because of the flies. Even a grain that falls in the floor, flies swarm on it.)
Affected residents are blaming the newly-opened ASI Poultry Farm in Barangay Santa Barbara which cause the fly infestation that started on December 2018.
Residents claimed that improper management and disposal of chicken manure in the poultry may have caused the fly problem.
The management of AIS Poultry Farm refuted the residents' claims and asserted that it had installed complete equipment and facilities to treat chicken manures to prevent fly infestation.
In a phone interview with SunStar Pampanga, the general manager and caretaker of AIS Poultry Farm who identified himself as “Angel” said the newly-opened poultry farm is not the only farm in the area which may cause the fly infestation.
He, however, admitted that the farm had a problem in their operation during the last week of December after the medicine used for treatment of chicken manure they bought turned out to be fake.
The fake medicine emitted an odor which attracted more flies, he added.
“We have to admit that the problem may have partially caused the fly infestation but we cannot take full responsibility for such big problem that have affected two barangays. Besides, we are not the only poultry farm in (Barangay) Sta. Barbara,” he said.
Angel disclosed that upon learning the fly infestation, the management took the initiative to conduct fogging and other intervention activities to address the problem.
He added that they met with barangay and town officials to make possible solutions that would address the situation, especially the health concerns of the affected residents.