Woman asks Duterte to close piggery

CEBU, Philippines — An environmental advocate from Alegria, Cebu who has complained against a piggery in the town for 13 years already has elevated her sentiment to the president.

Elizabeth Lopez, 58, has written President Rodrigo Duterte last February 26 because she wants to personally talk to the chief executive about the stench the piggery has brought to their community.

She also alleged that filthy water that carries the pigs’ wastes would even flow along some houses and all the way to the Tañon Strait, which is a protected seascape.

“Ako si Elizabeth Lopez mahal namo nga President, ako ug akong mga kasilinganan diri sa Balhaan, Madridejos, Alegria, Cebu magahangyo nga imo ming matagaan ug panahon nga makaestorya ka personal, para sa among problema diri sa among dapit,” read a portion of her letter.

She added that the local officials did not bother to solve the issue, which prompted her to seek for the president’s intervention.

“Baho kaayo among palibot ug naay pollution sa tubig, hasta among dagat naapektuhan na,” she added.

The Office of the President, through the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, received the letter on the same day.

Lopez added that the piggery owner has filed cases against her, but it did not dampen her spirit to get this issue addressed.

She also said that there is already a child who lives near the piggery who died of pneumonia just last February.

Lopez added that she is not against any development, as long as it does not put the lives of the people at risk and that it does not affect the environment.

Lopez has raised the issue since 2006 through at least two mayors, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and several radio stations.

She believes that there might be a politician who is protecting or behind the operations of the piggery, which can reportedly accommodate 3,000 hogs. (FREEMAN)