ILOILO City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the mandatory Avian Influenza (AI) test requirement for most live poultry, bird, and egg shipments from Western Visayas, citing the region’s sustained bird flu-free status and years of negative surveillance results.
The policy shift, which took effect following Memorandum Circular No. 30, Series of 2026 on June 19, is expected to facilitate the movement of poultry products from Region 6 while maintaining strict disease monitoring measures.
Only live ducks remain subject to mandatory AI testing before shipment.
“Indi na kinahanglan ang Avian Influenza test para sa shipping permit sang live poultry, iban nga klasi sang mga pispis, kag itlog; maliban sa mga buhi nga bibe nga halin sa Region 6 nga kinahanglan gihapon sang test,” the DA-6 announced in Hiligaynon.
The memorandum will remain in force until Sept. 3, 2026.
Despite relaxing the testing requirement, the DA emphasized that disease prevention measures remain mandatory.
Stakeholders must still secure a Veterinary Health Certificate, while farms are required to comply with all documentary requirements under DA Administrative Order No. 5, Series of 2019. Provincial Veterinary Offices must also continue submitting monthly surveillance reports confirming the absence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases.
The agency also reminded poultry stakeholders that AI surveillance test results remain valid for only six months and that the memorandum will be rendered immediately ineffective if any confirmed avian influenza case is detected.
The easing of shipment rules was based on comprehensive surveillance conducted by DA Region 6, which found no influenza type A virus in high-risk areas across Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
The DA also noted that Capiz, which recorded the region’s last HPAI outbreak on Dec. 2, 2022, officially regained its bird flu-free status on July 4, 2023.
Provincial Veterinary Offices across Western Visayas are likewise required to submit monthly HPAI-negative monitoring reports as formal proof that no confirmed or suspected bird flu cases have been recorded in their respective areas.
The DA said continued surveillance will remain the basis for issuing Veterinary Health Certificates and ensuring that Western Visayas sustains its disease-free status while allowing smoother poultry trade./PN
