INCOMING Mayor Abundio Punsalan’s first executive order will be the closing of an infested cow farm that sits right in the middle of a residential and school community in San Simon, Pampanga.
Punsalan said the D’ Meters Field, located in Barangay San Pablo, San Simon, has caused a lot of damage and inconveniences to the residents around its vicinity, as well as students and teachers of San Pablo Elementary School.
“Hindi po tama na ang isang bakahan ay nasa barangay. Ang alam ko ang bakahan, rancho yan, dapat nasa bundok o nasa malayong lugar para hindi makaperwisyo sa mga tao,” Punsalan said.
(It's not right for a cattle farm to be in a village. As far as I know, a cow farm is a ranch and should be in the mountains.)
Echoing the complaints of residents and the school community, Punsalan said the cow farm emits awful smell from the cow manure, and causes fly infestation, which is unsanitary for households and canteens.
He said several children are complaining of having inflicted diseases, while teachers and residents are not able to perform their work duties properly due to the bad smell in their surroundings.
Punsalan urged the owners of D’ Meters to voluntarily stop their operations to avoid causing untoward relations with the local government, saying he will immediately issue a closure order once he assumes his post.
“Lumipat na po kayo dahil hindi ko na po kayo papayagan diyan. Umalis na lang kayo para hindi na lang po tayo magkasamaan ng loob. Marami na kayong naperwisyo, marami ng nagkasakit kaya nakikiusap ako, umalis na kayo,” he said.
(You better transfer because I will not let you continue your business in the village. You better leave to avoid untoward relations with the local government. You have caused trouble and a lot of people were already sick.)