BALANGA CITY, Bataan – A multimillion-peso poultry farm in an upland barangay here has lost at least P37 million after its facilities were burned which also roasted some 15,000 chichen.
Elvira Tamayo, owner of the poultry farm in Barangay Upper Tuyo, said the fire destroyed two double-decker buildings valued at P15 million each, and burned at least 50,000 heads of 23-day-old broiler chickens worth P6 million, and 500 bags of feeds valued at P1 million.
She said the broilers were set to be harvested in 10 to 15 days. “It is not clear yet where the fire started. Our people were feeding chickens when our farm manager ran and told me there was a fire. When we reached the place, the smoke which had risen high was too dark and the blaze already intense,” she said.
“The fire started in the second floor but we don’t know where it really because the place had often been regularly inspected and was complete in all that was needed,” she said, adding she could not ascertain yet the exact worth of the total damage but was sure the damaged two poultry houses, including the burnt chickens and feeds, were worth some P37 million.
Tamayo said they are contract growers of Dan Way Processing Corporation owned by one Engr. Danilo Baylon. The Bureau of Fire Protection in Balanga City is still investigating the case.