The Department of Agriculture-Central Luzon (DA-3) is continuously providing financial assistance to poultry raisers whose farms were hit by the avian influenza virus or bird flu in the region.

Agriculturist Enrile Manio of the DA-3 Regulatory Division said on Monday that 17 chicken raisers in the region, particularly in the provinces of Pampanga, Bataan and Bulacan whose poultry farms were affected by the disease from January to June this year, have so far received a total of PHP3.3 million.

The indemnification payment serves as compensation for culled animals, particularly ducks and quails.

“Ito na ang ikatlong pagkakataon na nakapagbigay ng indemnipikasyon ang DA Regional Field Office 3 (This is the third time that DA Regional Field Office was able to give indemnification),” Manio said in a news program.

He said the DA first distributed some PHP21 million to bird flu-hit poultry owners in the region in the first half of 2022, followed by some PHP111 million in the second half of last year.

Manio encouraged poultry raisers to report any unusual mortalities they observe in their farms so that necessary control measures could be undertaken.

“Sa pamamagitan nito ay maiiwasan ang pagkalat at pagkahawa sa bird flu ng mga magkakaratig na lugar (Through this, the spread of the bird flu to the nearby areas will be prevented),” he added.

Manio also reminded chicken raisers to improve their biosecurity to shield their farms from various poultry diseases. (PNA)