Bulacao residents oppose abattoir construction

CEBU, Philippines - An ongoing construction of an abattoir in Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City is being opposed by residents due to its threat to public health and sanitation.

Also, the construction allegedly lacks permits.

The abattoir being built is owned by couple Erwin and Rowela Rosal whose property is located 100 meters away from a private subdivision and closer to private residential houses in Bulacao.

Villa Bulsita Homeowners Association President Ariel Llanza raised the issue before the City Government saying the barangay failed to stop the construction despite their complaint.

Llanza said that during a public hearing attended by 31 residents surrounding the area, 28 opposed to the proposed slaughterhouse but their opposition was apparently left unheeded.

In the residents’ manifesto, they told the mayor that the construction poses health and sanitation hazards from the daily slaughter of thousands of chickens daily a residential community.

“The chicken manure, its feathers, the disease these chickens may carry, the disposal of wastes, the foul odor, the noise and other risk and peril it brings cannot be countenanced,” according to the 154 signatories of the petition.

Pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulation of the Code of Sanitation of the Philippines, Chapter IV provides the site requirements for markets and abattoir to be at least 200 meters away from residential areas, schools, churches and places of public assembly, funeral establishments, courts or public office.

The abattoir should be 25 meters away from markets and other food establishments.

The property is an Agro-Industrial Zone according to the City Planning Division. But though it is suitable for this kind of business, Llanza said that it does not meet the requirements of other laws.

Llanza also complained that when he went to the City Planning Division and talked with an official, he was allegedly told that the Code of Sanitation, specifically the site requirements, is not being strictly complied by many.

“I was shocked that he was trying to convince me that this law is not being complied with by many so we should just let it this way. I can’t believe that somebody from City Hall do not give importance to the law,” Llanza said.

He also checked with the Office of the Building Official to verify their findings that the construction has no building permit and was told that the owners failed to secure one.

An official from OBO confirmed that they have not received any application for the construction. OBO will send a team to inspect the area and investigate the alleged violations. – THE FREEMAN