Residents in Pili, Camarines Sur, and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte have raised concerns over swarms of flies reportedly originating from poultry farms nearby, which has caused inconvenience and health issues, particularly among children.

In Barangay Tinangis, Pili, Camarines Sur, residents said they can't save leftover food because the swarm of flies would make it unsafe to eat.

"Kamahal kan presyo kan bagas dae mi makakan na pag may tada kami—pag dae na mainit lalangawon na may ulod ng tada, tapos dae mi na makakakan," Cristina Mollasgo, a resident, said.

The infestation is reportedly a recurring issue, with flies infiltrating homes, even refrigerators.

In Barangay Naglicuan, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, residents of Barangay Naglicuan are also grappling with a similar problem, as swarms of flies infiltrate households.

"Kapag kumain ka, kailangan mabilis ka, tsaka nakakawalang gana," Nancy Baldon, a resident, said.

The poultry farm nearby also reportedly emits foul odor, affecting neighboring communities.

The owner of the poultry farm said they are open to guidance from barangay officials.

“Kung ano man ang complain niyo, aayusin namin yung problema; kahit tingnan niyo pa itong poultry. Kung pwede ngang araw-araw na may pumuntang barangay official para alalayan kami at mag-suggest kung anong dapat naming gawin," Wilson Florida, the owner of the poultry farm in Pasuquin, said.

Local health officials, such as Dr. Rafael Salles, the Municipal Health Officer of Pili, Camarines Sur, warn of the health hazards posed by the flies, including the risk of infection and food contamination.

"The risk is, syempre, is infection aram ta man na they carry some bacterias, pag nalaog siya sa mga pagkakan kumbaga nagiging unsafe ang food because of kadakol siyempre, well one of which is syempre paguudo-udo," Salles said.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

The municipal government of Pili has inspected the poultry farms and is considering the closure of facilities not compliant with rules. 

"Naka tube yan na aircon ang poultry ninda, may exhaust fan then igwang mga bulong na piga-apply. So dapat ma-comply nindang entero ito tangani na dae magkaigwang langaw," Mayor Tomas Bongalonta of Pili, Camarines Sur, said.

Barangay officials in Pasuquin have initiated signature campaigns calling for the closure of the poultry farm, while the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) plans of inspecting the farms in question.

“Ii-inspect namin at titignan ang mga papers nila para mapag-usapan namin kung anong gagawin," Windel Agbayani, a MENRO Officer, said.

“May isinasagawa kaming signature campaign para sa mga apektadong residente, hindi lang sa Barangay Naglicuan, [pero] pati ang Barangay Binsang," Oliver Valite, the Barangay Chairman of Naglicuan, said.

(With reports from Cris Novelo, GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia, and Gab De Luna, GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon)