Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA <strong>(CORRECTED)</strong> — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) official Atty. Noel Sala said Thursday that the epartment will release a memorandum circular on raising pigeons after senators sounded the alarm on the prevalence of bird strikes and their impact on flight safety. </p><p>Over 900 occurrences of bird strikes were recorded in 2025 alone, according to Air Carriers Association of the Philippines’ Carlo Aclan.</p><p>Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Raffy Tulfo at a hearing on Thursday called on the DILG to tell local government units (LGU) to monitor and prohibit raising pigeons. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/17/19/the-deadly-odds-of-pigeon-racing-in-the-philippines"><strong>The deadly odds of pigeon racing in the Philippines </strong></a> </div><p>Sala daid the department already has a draft memorandum circular for that, “and we will facilitate the immediate vetting of this MC&quot; so that it can be signed and issued,</p><p>Prior to this, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Assistant Director General Roberto Buenaventura said they had issued a memorandum circular prohibiting hazardous activities within airport vicinities, including pigeon raising.</p><p>He said CAAP has coordinated with the DILG on that.  </p><p>“And since then, I understand the DILG was to issue to the [local government units] guidelines on this po,” Buenaventura also said.</p><p>Citing aviation safety, CAAP Memorandum Circular No. 026-2025 prohibits unauthorized aerial objects and raising of birds within a 12-kilometer radius from the Aerodrone Reference Point (ARP), stating some exceptions.</p><p>Sala vowed to ask the proper bureau for LGU coordination on implementing the MC. </p><p>“[T]he DILG can encourage local government units to enact ordinances, especially this ordinance that really have effect on the general welfare of the people,” he said.</p><p>Tulfo also hit the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) over supposed lack of action on a recommendation to relocate the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park, which he said is home to around 5,000 birds daily.</p><p>Tulfo added, this is two to three kilometers away from NAIA Runway 06.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/8/paws-says-malabon-parish-missed-the-point-over-use-of-live-dove-in-easter-rites-2207"><strong>PAWS says Malabon Parish &#x27;missed the point&#x27; over use of live dove in Easter rites</strong></a></div><p>“Are we waiting an accident to happen before we act on it?” Tulfo asked.</p><p>Tulfo added, he wants a solution to the issue on bird strikes and the relocation of the bird sanctuary by the end of the year.</p><p>Meanwhile, Sen. JV Ejercito said money should be allocated for bird dispersal technologies, urging CAAP and the Department of Transportation to give a cost estimate for devices for the 2027 national budget.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>TULFO WANTS COP REPRIMANDED </strong></div><p>Tulfo also showed a viral video of rallyists threatening a motorcycle rider on EDSA and reportedly taking his keys.</p><p>“‘Yung tao overwhelmed na siya ng mga rallyista and then sinisigawan siya, kinuha ‘yung susi niya. At ‘yung isa pa doon, binantaan siyang papatayin. Tapos ngayon, siya pa ‘yung pagagalitan ng pulis… I want that policeman identified and isalang siya sa retraining program,” Tulfo said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/6/20/australia-detects-first-case-of-contagious-h5-bird-flu-1037"><strong>Australia detects first case of contagious H5 bird flu</strong></a></div><p>Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Legal Office Chief PCol Ehdel Pereira said they are investigating the police officer’s identity, adding they will try to implement retraining.</p><p>“Pa-i-identify pa lang natin, Sir, at papaimbestigahan na natin… We will try to retrain our police officers,” Pereira said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION</strong></div><p>After Tulfo raised concerns on supposed long wait times in tollways, the Toll Regulatory Board’s (TRB) Joz Carlos Ordillano said they look to complete policy guidelines within 2026 or early next year regarding Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR).</p><p>“Siguro, Sir, within the year or early next year po, baka we can come up na ho sa policy guidelines po nung ahensiya in coordination po sa LTO,” Ordillano said.</p><p>“The system is already there. We need to come up lang po sa mga policies to support po ‘yung technology– say, for example po paano po natin maco-collect po ‘yung mga tolls doon sa mga kotse na walang RFID,” Ordillano added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/8/malabon-parish-sorry-for-tying-dove-to-balloons-during-easter-rites-1647"><strong>Malabon parish sorry for tying dove to balloons during Easter rites </strong></a> </div><p>Prior to this, San Miguel Holdings Corporation Corporate Affairs Office Head Atty. Melissa Encanto-Tagarda said they have the technology for the ALPR, but it is yet to be approved for use.</p><p>“Mayroon po tayo niyan– that’s what we call the ALPR, the Automatic License Plate Recognition system. We have it already. However, we will have to coordinate that with the TRB. For now, hindi pa po siya approved for use. But we are transitioning to that,” Encanto-Tagarda said, adding there needs to be a circular on implementation for all tollways.</p><p>Prior to this, Tulfo asked about technology that would eliminate the need for boom gates.</p>

<p>Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Attorney Noel Sala vowed on Thursday to facilitate the immediate release of a memorandum circular on pigeon racing after senators rang the alarm on the prevalence of bird strikes and their impact on flight safety.</p>

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Attorney Noel Sala vowed on Thursday to facilitate the immediate release of a memorandum circular on pigeon racing after senators rang the alarm on the prevalence of bird strikes and their impact on flight safety.

DILG vows memorandum on pigeon raising after senators raise flight safety concerns

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DILG vows memorandum on pigeon raising after senators raise flight safety concerns

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 02, 2026 05:43 PM PHT

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Updated July 02, 2026 07:28 PM PHT

Read More:

Bird strike

Flight

Senate

DILG

Pigeon racing

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