For attracting flies: Violation notice served to Asturias poultry farm

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 has issued a notice of violation against the poultry farm blamed for “fly infestation” in Asturias town.

The Cebu TH Poultry House Corporation was found to have violated at least five conditions in its Environmental Compliance Certificate causing proliferation of flies because of obnoxious odor from the farm.

The violations were noted during the inspection conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau-7 in Barangay Bago, Asturias last July 30.

EMB-7 Director William P. Cuñado specified the violations in his letter addressed to poultry owner Warren Hing.

The violations include; (1) failure to implement mitigating or enhancement measures in fly control management specifically during harvest time, (2) failure to submit an approved work and financial program for the seedlings production and tree planting activities within one month, (3) failure to secure a permit to operate air for generator set and a discharge permit for waste generated, (4) failure to implement recycling of effluent wastewater from waste treatment facility, and (5) failure to submit a semi-annual ECC compliance report.

In an investigation report prepared by environmental management specialist Brian Gerundio and monitoring section head Ariel Gillera, it said “flies proliferation within the project site and inside the feeds storage area, dead flies and cocoons were noted the drainage canal of the poultry building, thus this could be considered as the source of flies in the community.”

 The same report noted waste water from washing flow directly to the drainage canal leading to the septic tank with sacks of chicken dung were observed beside the Barangay Bago.

The DENR-7 has set a technical conference on August 8, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the EMB-7 conference hall in Banilad, Mandaue City. Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan, and Barangay Bago Kagawad Liziel Cayson were invited to attend the said meeting.

“We have been regularly conducting a close monitoring on companies with ECCs to check if they have been compliant with the conditions as stipulated,” said DENR-7 Executive Director Isabelo R. Montejo.

 An ECC was issued to CTPHC on September 19, 2013 for the poultry farm project which covers a total land area of 87,237 square meters and with a total stock population of 86,984 heads.

Based on the approved ECC, the said project includes the development and operation components of the following: two units of 2-storey poultry building; a waste storage of 35 square meter; two units of water source or supply; a water tank of 23.04 square meter; a 70-square meter waste water management facility-discharge tank; a poultry house boy; a power house; holding area or administration building; support facilities such as generator set, two feeders conveyors for two Dick buildings, mortality pit, and mess hall; and an open space.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Board has asked the Provincial Health Office to assess the health risks posed by the swarm of flies to the residents of Asturias. During their regular session yesterday, the PB passed a resolution sponsored by Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy requesting provincial health officer, Dr. Cynthia Genosolango, to look into the matter.

“It has brought about a great inconvenience to its inhabitants,” said Sitoy.

The provincial health office earlier said that the sacks of poultry wastes piled up along the roads in Asturias have attracted flies. Genosolango said the sacks of poultry wastes were given to farmers to be used as fertilizer but were just left along the roads. These eventually became breeding grounds for flies.

A similar resolution sponsored by Board Member Raul Alcoseba requesting the local government units to monitor the poultry farms from emitting foul odor and the proper use of its manure as organic fertilizer was also passed.

“Proper handling of manure and its proper use as fertilizer on the corn or other agricultural plants must be monitored by the LGUs to prevent its adverse effects to the environment and health of the constituents,” said Alcoseba.

He added that local agriculture officers should conduct regular seminar and training among farmers on the proper use of organic fertilizer especially the manure or those coming from animals. (FREEMAN)