Photo from CLTV-36 videograb
SAN LUIS, Pampanga – The P1-million rat extermination campaign of the local government here went into high gear Wednesday with the first pay-out for over 4,000 dead rodents, their tails serving as proof of death.
IT student Mark Joshua Maño of Barangay San Isidro brought in 1,401 tails and collected P7,005.
Even as the amount is to be divided with 19 others, Maño said his share will be a good start in his efforts to save for his school needs. Yes, he would continue hunting rats.
Rizel Mata of Barangay Sto. Tomas had 423 tails, good for P2,115.
“Sa hirap po ng buhay ngayon, malaking tulong na rin po ito sa amin sa pagbili ng pagkain o pambayad sa kuryente,” she said.
In just an hour
A total of P21,385 was paid out Wednesday, Mayor Jay Sagum said, expressing satisfaction over the “good number” of rats killed.
It was only last Monday that Sagum announced a P1-million bounty in the municipality’s rat eradication program offering P5 per dead rat.
Of San Luis’ total land area of 5,600 hectares, 4,870 hectares are planted to rice and vegetable crops whichare most susceptible to rat infestation.
Aimed at eradicating 200,000 rats, the program is eyed to last until November when the farmers prepare their fields for the third cropping season.
“Tulong na rin ito sa mga walang trabaho,” said municipal agriculture officer Rolando Fronda who supervised the cash payment for the dead rodents.
While the tails submitted to the municipal agriculture office will be buried in a waste composting facility of the LGU, some of the rat hunters have been reported to be selling rat meat in town at P120 per kilo.
Rat meat – from field mice variety, hence called “dagis pale” in Kapampangan – usually cooked adobo-style and then deep fried, is considered a delicacy in some farming towns in Pampanga.
Fronda however advised against selling and consumption of rat meat. With media reports
