THE Environmental Management Bureau in Northern Mindanao (EMB-10) will lift its cease and desist order against 17 poultry farms in Alubijid if the owners sign a memorandum of undertaking with the local government.
During a consultative meeting with poultry owners and Mayor Emmanuel Jamis last Friday, August 8, EMB-10 Regional Director Reynaldo Digamo explained that the omnibus order does not permanently close the farms but requires them to “depopulate” their livestock through harvesting.
Digamo said the new agreement, which requires the 17 farms to form an association, is designed to make them “police their rank” and collectively safeguard against future fly infestations.
“Wala nato gitumbok ang isa kay atong i-emphasize nga ang isa, they have to police their rank, para dili nila pasagdan ang ilang isa ka kauban,” Digamo said, explaining that his office cannot monitor every farm individually.
He added that if any farm violates the new protocols, EMB-10 will immediately order its closure.
“Na experience na nila karon, damay silang tanan,” he told reporters in the sideline of the consultative meeting.
The 17 farms named in the order are: Rolor Blue Sky Agrivet, Nacario Poultry Farm, JLT Corp, New Tech Poultry Farm, Rana Poultry Farm, Asonlie Poultry Farm, Joso Poultry Farm, Solar Unico Poultry Farm, Roxas Poultry Farm, Golden Goose Poultry Farm, Asongchiong Poultry Farm, Buen Poultry Farm, Cataleya Poultry Farm, WJJ Poultry Farm, Mega/Daily Fresh, MBC Poultry Farm, and Julmar Poultry Farm.
Mayor Jamis said the memorandum of undertaking will be submitted within the week. He praised the EMB for taking action on the long-standing problem, noting that he has a pending case against one poultry owner for non-compliance.
He said three of the farms are currently inactive and cited Bounty Fresh of Ororama as having the “best farming method.”
Among with the poultry owners who was presented by there representatives were Rolor Blue Sky Agrivet, owned by Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy and is represented by its General Manager Engr. Lorimer Bacanot
Lawyer Leizle Fernandez, who represented Bounty Fresh at the meeting, assured the EMB-10 that they are willing to follow the new protocols.
She said that poultry farms should not be closed down as the growing population requires more food.
The meeting also drew comments from former Misamis Oriental Administrator Jun Pacamalan, an Alubijid resident, who said the fly infestation has “damaged their peace.”
He encouraged the owners to “live with him during the harvest for them to fully experience what it feels like during fly swarming.”
