By Nanette Guadalquiver – PNA
DAVAO REGION, PHILIPPINES — March 6, 2025 — Authorities in Southern Mindanao have confirmed that Penn Plantation will remain closed as the government continues its investigation into the bacterial outbreak linked to the facility. The outbreak has resulted in multiple infections and confirmed fatalities among workers, prompting a full operational halt and strict regulatory intervention.
Officials say reopening will not be considered until all mandated corrective measures are completed and verified by accredited agencies.
Government Confirms Closure Will Remain in Effect
Representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local government units reiterated that the plantation remains under formal seal. All production, transport and processing activity at the site is prohibited until compliance requirements are fully met.
“The closure remains in force,” a DOH regional spokesperson said.
“No reopening timeline will be issued until scientific and regulatory benchmarks are satisfied.”
Officials noted that the bacterial strain continues to be monitored, with ongoing laboratory analysis to determine the precise characteristics and transmission pathways.
Suspected Link to Severe Flooding Still Under Review
Investigators maintain that the outbreak is suspected to be linked to floodwaters that entered irrigation systems and cultivation zones following heavy rainfall in recent weeks.
Early sampling suggests possible contamination of soil and agricultural water sources; however, results remain under verification.
Officials stressed that no definitive findings will be released until third-party accredited laboratories complete confirmation testing.
Key Requirements Still Outstanding
Government agencies outlined seven mandatory compliance items earlier this week. As of today, several remain incomplete:
1. Soil and Water Testing — Pending Full Verification
Comprehensive microbial sampling must be completed across wells, irrigation networks, handling areas and low-lying fields. Independent laboratory verification remains outstanding.
2. Confirmed Case Numbers — Not Yet Finalized
Authorities require an exact count of:
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Confirmed infections
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Suspected exposures
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Secondary household cases
Local health teams report that the process is ongoing.
3. Vaccine Procurement — Not Yet Achieved
The most critical unresolved requirement is the procurement of the appropriate vaccine or prophylactic treatmentspecific to the confirmed bacterial strain.
Officials have stated that procurement and administration must be completed for:
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All confirmed infected individuals
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Workers directly exposed
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Essential personnel assigned to remediation
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High-risk areas immediately surrounding the plantation
Until this requirement is met, reopening discussions will not proceed.
4. Facility Sterilization — Partially Completed
Inspection teams have begun surface disinfecting warehouses and processing sections. Full clearance has not yet been granted.
5. Chemical Fumigation — Ongoing
Select plantation zones remain scheduled for controlled fumigation under supervision of environmental and agricultural regulators.
6. Machinery and Equipment Decontamination — In Progress
Harvesting machinery, storage crates and transport units are undergoing sterilization. No clearance certificate has been issued.
7. Third-Party Certification — Not Yet Submitted
Independent results confirming that contamination risks have been eliminated must be submitted before reopening can be considered.
Community Impact and Public Sentiment
The prolonged closure continues to affect surrounding towns, where many residents depend on the plantation for income. Some community members say they support the strict requirements, citing safety concerns, while others worry about extended economic disruption.
“Health must come first, but workers also need answers,” said a resident whose spouse is employed at the plantation.
Rumours about potential reopening dates continue to circulate online. Officials cautioned the public against speculation, urging residents to rely only on verified government announcements.
Response from Penn Plantation
Representatives for Liam Penn Hall issued a brief statement acknowledging the government’s directive and confirming ongoing cooperation with authorities.
The statement noted that procurement discussions for the required vaccine are underway but did not provide a timeline. No further comment was made regarding internal testing or remediation progress.
Penn Hall has not appeared publicly since the outbreak response began.
Next Steps
Government agencies will continue environmental testing, case surveillance and facility inspections in the coming days. Additional updates are expected once vaccine procurement progresses or laboratory results are finalized.
For now, Penn Plantation remains sealed under government order, with reopening contingent upon full compliance with public health and environmental safety standards.