THE municipal government of Samal in Bataan announced on Wednesday the temporary closure of two poultry farms here due to fly infestation.

Samal Mayor Alex Acuzar issued the cease and desist order and temporary closure of farm operation for six months and the temporary suspension of business permit from Aug. 10, 2022 to Jan. 10, 2023 pursuant to provincial and municipal ordinances on the two farms.

The mayor said that upon receiving the complaints from residents, they conducted an investigation and found out that the flies proliferated because of the poultry farms.

Acuzar said there are six chicken farms in Samal, but only those in Barangay Ibaba and Barangay Sapa were the subjects of fly infestation complaints.

“Although kailangan natin ang negosyo, pero mas mahalaga pa rin ang mga tao lalong-lalo na dahil nakakaapekto ito sa kalusugan. Ang mga langaw ay nagiging sanhi ng sakit at ng quality of living ng mga tao sa paligid. Dahil sa dami ng nagrereklamo, kailangang umaksyon ang munisipyo (Although we need businesses, the health of the people is more important. The flies may bring sickness and will affect the quality of living of the residents in the area. Because many people have complained, the municipal government had to act on it),” the mayor said.

Acuzar said he does not want to close any establishment, but the poultry farms need to follow municipal and provincial ordinances.

He also asked residents to be responsible for the cleanliness of their surroundings.

The residents in Barangay Ibaba and Barangay Sapa welcomed the move of Acuzar, who is serving his first term as town mayor.