THE Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)- Central Visayas has ordered a piggery farm in Pinamungajan, Cebu to pay for a fine amounting to P150,000 for foul odor generation and alleged wastewater discharges to a river nearby the establishment.
This was the resolution of EMB-Central Visayas after the conduct of a Technical Conference on Monday, May 6, that was attended by the management of the Excelsior Farms, Incorporated.
Excelsior Farms, Incorporated, located in Barangay Sacsac, Pinamungajan, Cebu, is a large-scale Modern Tunnel Ventilated Piggery Farm designed to house a total hog population of 20,000 heads.
It was issued an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) docketed ECC-R07-1505-0073 by the office of EMB- Central Visayas last May 5, 2015.
They were also issued a valid Discharge Permit on January 9, 2019 with validity until January 9, 2020.
EMB-Central Visayas has received several complaints lodged from different complainants against the said piggery farm for allegedly discharging wastewater to Ulbujan River which accordingly caused river discoloration and pollution. Furthermore, the farm’s operation allegedly causes foul odor around the area.
EMB-Central Visayas field personnel conducted investigation on April 12, to verify the alleged complaint and to conduct sampling to the nearby surface waters.
A follow-up investigation was also conducted on April 23, to survey the area outside the farm, to conduct wastewater sampling, and to check the farm’s odor mitigating measures.
Lastly, on May 2, EMB- Central Visayas Field Personnel accompanied by EMB Regional Director William Cuñado conducted a final assessment on the pollution complaint.
It was then proven in the investigations conducted that the said piggery farm has violated Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 and the Presidential Decree 1586 or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System.
After a thorough discussion of the complaint case in a Technical Conference, the management of the farm signed a Commitment Sheet stating the payment of the fine amounting to P150,000 to be paid on or before May 21, 2019.
Aside from the fine, the management signed commitments to solve or minimize the pollution problem in their area for a specific period of time.
One of the commitments of the said piggery farm is to remove the wastewater stored beneath their buildings which causes offensive odor and have the wastewater be treated by its biodigester.
Furthermore, they pledged to avail services of a third-party hauler on a daily basis until such time all wastewater will be removed.
They are also to construct one unit of sand filter with a capacity of 180 cubic meters as start-up to remove sludge in the wastewater.
With these commitments, the management are required to submit daily progress report of activity to EMB-Central Visayas through e-mail.
Failure to comply within the given period will result to an additional penalty in the amount of P50,000.00 for everyday of their operation and/or issuance of a Cease and Desist Order. (PR)