San Juan slaughterhouse shut down

MANILA, Philippines — A slaughterhouse in San Juan City allegedly dumping untreated wastewater into the San Juan River was closed yesterday.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and other officials served a closure order to the slaughterhouse of Megga Foods and Stockfarm Inc. situated along F. Manalo street in Barangay Kabayanan at past 9 a.m.

Cimatu said untreated wastes in the San Juan River go to the Pasig River and eventually end up in Manila Bay.

Zamora said they have been calling the attention of the owner of the slaughterhouse since August last year for operating without sanitary, water discharge and environmental permits.

According to Zamora, the owner did not communicate with them even if they issued a show cause order in October 2019.

Cimatu also inspected a private wet market along Gen. Kalentong street in Mandaluyong City, where he also saw several violations, including the lack of a three-meter easement from the river.

They also found the market to be untidy, with a restroom not connected to a septic tank and discharging waste into the river.

Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos has ordered the market’s administrator to clean the place and remove illegal structures within three days or face closure.