Residents of Barangay Malimpec in Malasiqui, Pangasinan say they have been enduring swarms of flies in their homes for years, which they blame on poultry farms nearby.

Inside the kitchen of Annie Cayago, flies gather on walls and food. She said the problem worsens whenever poultry farms in the area harvest chickens.

“Eto, nagtitiis pa rin kami kahit na ilang taon nang puro complain. Wala namang nangyayari, kaya wala rin magagawa, dahil nandiyan nga iyan palipad-lipad lang. Kakain kami konting bugaw, sa gabi nakak kulambo, pero kahit naka kulambo ka, pinapasok ka pa rin. Matatalino mga langaw eh,” she said.

When the news team visited one of the poultry farms, workers were seen placing fly glue traps and spraying insecticide. The farm’s caretaker, Baby Ferrer, denied their facility is the source of the infestation.

“Kung talagang dito galing iyong langaw na nasa labas po, pag bukas mo na lang po iyan, sumasalubong na talaga ang maraming langaw. Ayan po makikita nyo naman po. Iyong mga straw po may fly glue iyon. Kung talagang malangaw sa loob, iyong mga fly glue na iyan, hindi mo na makikita kulay niya, kundi lahat na iyan langaw na lahat,” Ferrer explained.

Another poultry farm is also operating in the area, but its management has yet to issue a statement.

The Malasiqui sanitary office confirmed it would inspect both poultry farms to check for violations.

“Although nasabihan naman po namin sila kung ano iyong mga dapat gawin nila. Pero siguro kailangan pa nilang i-check kasi wala silang permit. I-comply iyon pero kung talagang nag-operate pa rin sila, they need to comply. They need to comply and they need to control the flies. Kasi talagang nagiging health threat siya hindi lang sa Brgy. Aliaga, pati na rin sa mga kalapit barangay niya,” Shiela Marie Caragan, sanitary inspector, said.

Officials warned uncontrolled fly infestations could pose health risks to residents.