INFESTATION. Residents in Umingan town, Pangasinan province set traps for houseflies that are infesting majority of the villages. Mayor Michael Carleon Cruz said Monday (June 26, 2023) that he has ordered the temporary closure of a poultry farm in Barangay Cabatuan, found to be the cause of housefly infestation. (Photo courtesy of Yan Si Lhyn Facebook)
UMINGAN, Pangasinan – Mayor Michael Carleone Cruz of this town has ordered the temporary closure of a poultry farm amid housefly infestation.
In Executive Order (EO) No. 31 posted on Monday, Cruz said the Municipal Health Office (MHO) conducted an investigation and gave recommendations that must be addressed by the owner of Prime Hen Poultry Farm.
The problem of fly infestation or swarming of flies as a result of the operation of Prime Hen Poultry Farm in the Barangays of Cabatuan, Carosalesan, Bantug, Don Montano, Maseil-seil and such other barangays near the farm is very evident and apparent as observed in the said barangays as posted in social media, reported in radio stations, newspapers, and television,” he said.
Cruz said the temporary closure and suspension of operation of the poultry farm will prevail until the completion of the road rehabilitation going to the farm or a contingency plan for the transport of products is provided.
The farm must also comply with the recommendations or findings of the MHO.
“The Barangay Council of Cabatuan together with the sanitary inspector and MHO are directed to ensure that no activities or operations be undertaken by the poultry farm owner during the implementation of the EO,” the order read.
A private citizen and a resident of Poblacion East, Judith de Leon, wrote a letter of complaint to the Sangguniang Bayan requesting a thorough investigation into the housefly infestation in their town.
“The posts on social media regarding houseflies from our different barangays are very alarming. Why are there so many houseflies in our town all of a sudden? Housefly infestation is a problem that can pose health risks and annoyances,” she wrote in the letter.
The municipal government conducted a dialogue on June 19 with owners of various poultry farms, which were seen to be the cause of the housefly infestation, particularly from Prime Hen Poultry Farm. (PNA)
