Hundreds of balut hatch into ducklings as COVID-19 lockdown stays

In Pateros City, around 300 balut or fertilized duck eggs have hatched into ducklings in what could be a reminder of how long the enhanced community quarantine has been in effect.

Known for its balut and salted eggs, the city is feeling the impact of the lockdown that started on March 17, which has halted almost all economic activities as a way of containing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Deo Reyes, who is in the balut business had to give away the ducklings and his stocks of around 15,000 eggs because of slow sales,  according to Bam Alegre's Tuesday report on 24 Oras.

"Hundred percent. Wala talagang pinakinabangan the last two months. Lumaking sisiw, eh. Papunta na siya doon and then imbis na masayang, pinamigay namin sa mga taga-Pateros," Reyes said.

He said some of the eggs were given to health workers and other frontliners.

"Malaki ang epekto sa amin. Dahil unang-una, 'yung mga itlog na ginagawang balut dito sa bayan namin ay inaangkat na rin sa ibang lugar," Mayor Ike Ponce said

"Ang nagiging problema, syempre 'yung pag-ta-transport nito. So halos wala nang nagbibiyahe ngayon ng itlog kaya wala ring madala dito para 'yung manufacturing tumalon," he added.

With a population of 70,000, the municipality of Pateros did not receive a large budget which can be used to give aid to balut makers as most had gone to relief goods for residents.

"Maliban doon sa social amelioration program na ibinaba ng ating national government ay wala kami talagang maitulong na partikular para sa bayan namin o para doon sa mga hindi mabibigyan kasi wala talagang pondo yung bayan namin para gamitin," Ponce said.

There are 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pateros. Of these, five had reportedly recovered. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News