The municipal government of Asturias, Cebu has issued a strict 'no chick-in' order against an industrial poultry farm, temporarily halting its production cycle due to a severe fly infestation that has caused significant nuisance to the community.
Local Authorities Take Action
Mayor Andrew 'Dongkoy' Dumdum, along with municipal regulators, enforced the order on June 11, 2026. The farm is prohibited from resuming normal operations until it improves its sanitation systems and resolves environmental issues that have led to the fly problem.
Third Disciplinary Action This Year
This marks the third time this year that local officials have imposed disciplinary measures against a poultry farm in the municipality. The actions target livestock operations accused of causing sanitation and public health concerns.
Dolphy Juntong, vice chairman of the Asturias Task Force Langaw, explained that authorities had no choice but to intervene after repeated inspections, warnings, and public hearings failed to address the issue. 'We conducted inspections repeatedly and even held public hearings, but the flies remained,' Juntong said.
Public Complaints Persist
Juntong noted that complaints about flies have been constant, especially on social media, where local residents have continuously expressed grievances over the disruption to their comfortable living conditions.
The 'no chick-in' order is a clear regulatory tool designed to halt the production cycle of industrial poultry farms by prohibiting the entry of new chicks. This approach allows operators to focus on upgrading their waste management and sanitation systems before resuming poultry operations.
Balancing Enforcement and Economic Impact
Officials emphasized that the penalty is intended to compel the farm to comply with the law, not to permanently shut down the business. This balance is crucial, as poultry farms contribute significantly to the local economy. Asturias currently hosts 23 active industrial poultry farms, with three more under construction. The growing livestock sector has helped elevate the municipality to first-class status due to its strong tax base.
