Heroes Hall, San Fernando City, Pampanga
August 28, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joined the people of Pampanga and Nueva Ecija in a boodle fight filled with poultry dishes from Central Luzon to help alleviate the fears of a continued avian influenza or ‘bird flu’ outbreak in both provinces at the Heroes Hall in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

In his speech, the President spoke of the importance of the poultry industry in the province not only for businessmen but for the continued sufficient food supply of the whole country. “Pampanga… is not only a factor but part of the food chain,” he said.

President Duterte lauded the people of Pampanga and Nueva Ecija and said that he had no doubt on their resiliency. He also gave thanks for their cooperation and solidarity during the quarantine that successfully contained the outbreak.

The President also commended the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH) for their quick and decisive actions in containing the bird flu within the affected areas.

Likewise, the soldiers who were given the task of assisting in containing the outbreak were applauded by President Duterte for their invaluable help in the quarantine operations.

To aid poultry farmers devastated by the avian flu, the President along with DA Secretary Manny Piñol, handed out PhP52 million in checks to the local government and those severely affected by the outbreak to help local businesses get back on their feet and to keep their businesses afloat for the three-month operation suspension period required to prevent the disease from coming back.

President Duterte also asked those present to give him time to find more funds to be used to further help those affected by the tragedy.

DA Secretary Piñol, DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial, National Security Council (NSC) Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, Pampanga District 2 Representative and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, Nueva Ecija Governor Czarina Umali, and other local government officials joined the President in the program that aims to jumpstart the poultry industry in the two provinces with the theme, ‘Sama-Sama, Tulong-Tulong sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong.’

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