EMB-7 orders probe against swine farm in Alegria

CEBU, Philippines — The largest swine farm in Alegria, Cebu is now under investigation by the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas after residents complained to President Rodrigo Duterte because of foul smell and untreated waste water discharges.

EMB-7 Director William Cuñado said he will send a team to Barangay Madridejos, where the piggery is located, as soon as possible. He said the team will validate and investigate the concerns raised by the residents, particularly on the alleged wastewater discharges.

He vowed that penalties will be imposed against the farm operator if violations are found during the ocular inspection. Environmental advocate Elizabeth Lopez recently brought the problem to the attention of the Palace following the closure of another piggery in San Fernando town because of similar violations.

Lopez said she had been a vocal critic of the farm for the past 13 years because of health issues.

Alegria town Mayor Verna Magallon said she is planning to send a written communication to EMB-7 and PENRO-Cebu for the creation of a joint team to inspect and assess the piggery again, and recheck whether the farm owners complied with the earlier recommendations.

She assured that the municipal government is closely monitoring the operations of the piggery with the help from PENRO-Cebu. Magallon clarified that her office did not receive recent complaints against the said farm.

According to Magallon, the farm was not supposed to be allowed to operate in residential area but the previous administration allegedly gave them the permit. She said there are at least 20 houses located at the immediate vicinity of the farm.

Magallon admitted she had difficulty in dealing with the problem because the residents are demanding for its closure but she could not legally do it. The mayor explained that the farm is complete with the necessary permits. She said she also considered the farm workers who will lose jobs.

To come up with a win-win solution, she said all parties agreed that the farm owners would have to control the odor emission and regulate their operations. The settlement was made in 2015 when all concerned stakeholders were gathered in a general assembly to discuss the issue with Second District Rep. Wilfredo Caminero as mediator.

Caminero, in a separate interview, said he initially intervened to help the community and the business operation to co-exist. He, however, said that one party, which he did not name, refused to cooperate.

Cuñado said that based on their records, the farm has implemented a zero discharge policy. This procedure means that instead of disposing treated wastewater, the pig farm will have to recycle the wastewater discharges within the farm. He said the farm was already subjected to investigation more than 10 years ago.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jonathan Erasmo, Local Health Support Division chief of the Department of Health in Central Visayas, said the local government may send a request for them to conduct a health assessment.  He said his office have sanitary engineers that are ready to be deployed.

He said the common diseases that the nearby residents may be inflicted with are typhoid fever or food and water borne diseases. — FPL (FREEMAN)