Cagayan: The province of Cagayan has been officially declared free from avian influenza, as announced by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday. This declaration comes after over three months of rigorous monitoring and surveillance efforts in the region. According to Philippines News Agency, the declaration was formalized under Memorandum Circular No. 46, which was signed on November 4. During the monitoring period, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) conducted extensive tests for avian influenza within the surveillance zones, ranging from 1 kilometer to 7 kilometers, all of which returned negative results. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the importance of protecting the local poultry industry, which is a significant source of employment and investment in the country. The last reported case of avian influenza in Cagayan was in Solana on January 26, 2023, involving game fowls. Tiu Laurel also stressed the necessity of maintaining supply stability and ensuring food safety across the nation. He highlighted the goal of providing enough food supply that is both affordable and safe for public consumption. Cagayan Valley, located along the bird migration path, includes several provinces such as Batanes, Isabel, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino. These provinces play a crucial role in poultry production, contributing nearly 10 percent to the national poultry output.