Monday, March 19, 2007 EMB gives poultry owner 30 days to follow orders
THE Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 has given a poultry farm owner in Barangay Cantao-an, Naga 30 days to correct deficiencies and comply with environmental protection laws.
The farm owned by Daisy Canada sits within 400 meters from residences, which is prohibited under the law.
Its grounds were not enclosed by a screen and chemicals that drive away flies were not used in the premises, an EMB 7 team said after a visit.
Environment specialist Anabeth Roble led the ocular inspection on the poultry site following the residents’ complaint, which Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong had referred to the EMB 7 for resolution last week.
Complaints
More than 20 families had complained that the air in their community stinks at night. At daytime, flies from the poultry farm swarm the nearby houses, they added.
They also claimed that the poultry owner has not complied with the requirement to collect chicken waste after three to four days and place them inside a sack.
But the allegations will be verified during a technical conference between EMB 7 officials and Roble this week.
EMB 7 Director Alan Arranguez said a severe penalty or even a closure order will be imposed if the management fails to heed the agency’s recommendations.
Another EMB official, who requested anonymity, said that because it will be expensive to transfer the poultry away from the residences, the owner has the option to install pollution control measures to be allowed to continue operating. (AIV)
