LLDA warns slaughterhouses over pollution

Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) general manager Casimiro Ynares III warned slaughterhouses within the agency’s jurisdiction to comply with environmental requirements or face closure.

Casimiro said the LLDA would not think twice in padlocking polluting slaughterhouses, adding that his agency is speeding up the resolution of pollution cases against 32 slaughterhouses in Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal.

"I am inclined to sign already the closure orders against these slaughterhouses... Unless remedial measures are observed, these facilities will be issued closure orders soon," he said.

But before finally signing the closure orders, Ynares met with slaughterhouse operators and told them to comply with the LLDA’s environmental requirements, which include the setting up of an efficient wastewater treatment facility.

During the dialogue, the slaughterhouse operators claimed that their revenues are not enough for them to put up such a facility.

They proposed instead a three-point alternative scheme that includes segregation of waste, reduction of water used in their operations, and education of butchers on proper procedures and work attitude.

Ynares said the LLDA would review the operators’ proposals.

"During the review of these alternative proposals, the LLDA has no choice but to allow the continued operation of these slaughterhouses," he said.

"However, we would sustain monitoring of these facilities and make sure that remedial measures are put in place (to) ensure significant reduction of their pollution," he added.

Nevertheless, all the slaughterhouse operators who attended the dialogue expressed support for the LLDA’s environmental programs, specifically its effort to significantly cut the volume of pollutants being dumped into the Laguna de Bay and its 29 tributaries.

The LLDA said 10 pollution cases, involving eight slaughterhouses in Metro Manila, are pending.

Eighteen other slaughterhouses in Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal also have pending cases.

Ynares said the cases range from violation of the pollution control code and operating without LLDA clearances and discharge permits.

He said some of these facilities have already accumulated fines of as much as P1.5 million.

A study conducted by LLDA experts revealed that aside from industries, slaughterhouses largely contribute to the deterioration of the water quality of Laguna de Bay, Asia’s second largest freshwater basin, and its tributaries. — Katherine Adraneda