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Foul poultry farm smell hit
By Nidz Godino
"It was just only in 2019 that complaints started coming in. Ingon lagi ko nga nganong karon pa man mo nag-complain. Ingon sila 'ikaw na man'ang mayor..they complained to me and then mao na gihimoan og imbestigasyon," Former Palompon, Leyte Mayor Georgina Arevalo has scored environmental violations allegedly committed by incumbent mayor's poultry businesses in town and other areas.
Arevalo said despite congressional inquiry, Palompon Mayor Ramon Oñate's chicken businesses have been affecting environment and people living in town and other areas.
Earlier Oñate claimed his poultry businesses have complied with all environmental requirements.
Arevalo, who was mayor of Palompon from 2019 to 2022, said during her term as town's chief executive complaints from her constituents against Oñate's poultry business in town started to reach her attention.
She said Oñate's poultry businesses in three areas have been subject of complaints and that one in Barangay Lat-osan in Palompon has been closed following raid by National Bureau of Investigation early this year.
"Ang nahitabo nahimoan og title, na-loan og kadaghan…and then here comes NBI I think it was February or January this year na-raid na siya and it's closed now kasi they found out nga ang kani diay nga lot is talagang forestland…so it's an ongoing case by NBI, now makadungog mi og estorya nga mo-insist gyud sila,Oñate's camp nga dili gyud siya forestland or naay lain iingon si Oñate nga 'wa ko kahibawo kay clean buyer ko' or innocent buyer siya…how can you be an innocent buyer nga ikaw man ang nagpatitulo…so you already know and as mayor siguro you know kon unsay forestland sa imong munisipyo," Arevalo said.
Arevalo said that during her time as mayor, Oñate's poultry business in Lat-osan was subject of complaint sent to media by some constituents because of influx of flies during harvest.
Former mayor claimed during interview with her, it was found out that Oñate's business had some irregularities. She cited as example location of Oñate's poultry along national highway which is allegedly violation of law.
"Naa man gud na siya sa national highway dapit which should not be…ang gibutang man gud sa ilang papeles is unknown road when in fact it is Palompom-Isabel National Road…so how can you say it's an unknown road…and then bawal na siya kay gisukod man sa sanitario and then sanitary inspector told me that it was 26 meters from road when it should be kong sa Sanitary Code pa na it's 500 meters man siguro, mao ning hitaboa sa one area lang na. ..so until now sirado na ang Lat-osan poultry farm gipasira sa NBI…nag-start lang to langaw nga complaint ang then nakit-an nga forestland diay na. ..misulod na ang Environmental Management Bureau and it turns out daghan diay violation and then wala diay proper waste disposal, wala silay permit for the disposal," she said.
As for Oñate's dressing plant in Albuera, Leyte, Arevalo alleged some of residents there have complained against foul smell, saying she does not understand why no one from concerned government agencies interviewed people living in the area despite fact complaints were raised many years ago.
Arevalo, medical doctor, claimed waste from Albuera dressing plant is being transported to Palompon. But before reaching Palompon, waste would pass through Ormoc City and other areas, she said
"We have to understand nga kana siya moagi og Ormoc…mobaho inig agi kay mo-spill man ang waste niya…moagi og Isabel usahay, moagi og…matag-ob usahay, mangasuko ang mga tawo kay makabaho man gud sila og naay waste…didto ilabay sa Barangay San Joaquin,(Palompon sa land nga na-acquire niya Oñare," she said.
Arevalo claimed in San Joaquin, watershed area, water has been contaminated and is no longer usable.
In article appeared in media, Oñate claimed his poultry business DBSN Farms Agriventures Corporation followed environmental guidelines, denying allegations it has been transporting chicken waste from Albuera to his breeder farm in Palompon.
"As breeder farm, we only dispose our chicken waste, mainly chicken manure at end of breeding cycle, which is after 42 weeks from start of operation," Oñate was quoted in as saying. "We also have regulated and designated soil conditioner containment area ,compost pit for chicken manure with an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from EMB-Region 8 of DENR-8."
Oñate admitted DBSN, in early years of its operations, was penalized by DENR-Region 8 for improper waste disposal. He said this prompted him to invest over hundred million pesos to put up 2,500-square-meter wastewater treatment plant inside DBSN plant in Albuera, Leyte.
"Wastewater treatment and disposal systems are designed to remove contaminants and pollutants from wastewater before it is released back into environment. .. process involves several stages to ensure water is clean and safe for ecosystem and human health," he said.
Item stated Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was even impressed with DBSN's wastewater management and disposal plant.
Controversies surrounding Oñate's poultry businesses have been subject of congressional investigation this year.
Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez had filed resolution seeking for probe into operations of Oñate's DBSN Farms for alleged environmental violations, saying Oñate should answer allegations against him.
Gomez also wanted criminal and administrative charges filed against Palompon officials for alleged environmental and land violations.
Lawmaker is also asking update from DENR on measures undertaken against pollution of air, soil and water in town.
For his part, Oñate said allegations against him are just form of political harassment, claim Gomez denied.
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