(Eagle News) — The Department of Agriculture is looking into the possible criminal liability of people who reportedly had the “intent to refuse to share information” about the outbreak of bird flu in San Luis, Pampanga.
In a radio interview on Monday, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said he has directed the Bureau of Animal Industry to do this.
“Tingin ko, sa ating mga protocol, ay merong mga kaparusahan pag di sila nagreport,” he said.
He said it was a quail farm owner who did not inform authorities even after 15,000 of his fowls had been wiped out.
The incident, he said, happened as early as April.
“Right after the confirmatory tests, kaagad akong nagbigay ng information kay Pangulo(ng Rodrigo Duterte) through Secretary Bong Go. Tinawagan ko rin (Health) Secretary (Paulyn) Ubial, kaya coordinated ito,” he said.
He said on Tuesday, the DA would start giving out compensation to farmers whose fowls would have to be killed.
He said the compensation would depend on the number of fowls culled, at P80 per head.
He said around 200, 000 fowls will be affected.
“We have to do this. Wala tayong magagawa,” he said.