ANGELES CITY – “If they could close two Porac piggeries, why don’t they close them all to end the miseries of the people?”
Thus said yesterday the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) as it branded as “political and publicity stunts” the closure of two piggeries in Barangays Sta. Cruz and Manibaug Paralaya led by Porac Mayor Roger Santos on July 17.
“Mayor Santos and his people simply reduced a bit the poison emitted by the piggeries,” added PGKM’s Sonny Dobles.
Recently, Dobles cited a US-based study indicating that piggeries emit hydrogen sulfite, a deadly gas which can cause “sudden death and other serious ailments.”
The PGKM and the Kruzada Kontra Amoy (KKA) have called for the transfer of at least 12 prominent piggeries in the two villages outside of the town.
Santos, accompanied by his technical assistant Mike Tapang and Task Force Clean Air (TFCA) Chairman Rogie Pangilinan, issued a closure order and padlocked the Logo Farm owned by Fe Tan Kho and LTO farm owned by Letty Ong.
“Enough is enough,” told Santos to mediamen, stressing that ‘this is not only to show my intention to address the problem but rather to protect the health of my people.”
“In this case we mean business. It is either they comply or be permanently closed,” added Santos, who disclosed that two piggeries had failed to comply with sanitary procedures and “discharge permits” from the Environment and Management Bureau (EMB).
The two piggeries have poor facilities as assessed by the Porac Sanitation Office and had pending case with the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB).
But Dobles said “much bigger and 10 more piggeries are open.”
“It doesn’t help much to close down two piggeries. They have to be shut down all together,” said Dobles.
Pangilinan, in a statement, said the TFCA had forwarded it’s recommendation last February to the municipal council to permanently address the stench emanating from hog farms in the two villages, one which is near Angeles City.
“The fate of these piggeries are in the hands of the municipal councilors,” said Pangilinan, adding that the “it remained untouched” by the town council led by Vice Mayor Jing Capil.
But the PGKM lashed at Santos, saying “it’s the mayor and not the council members who can really end the problem on Porac piggeries.”
“The mayor is passing the problem to the councilors and vice mayor when he is the father of the people,” said Dobles. “He can close them down by simply not giving them permits.”
“The complaints of residents are enough reasons to make the mayor close down all the piggeries,” said Dobles.
Tapang, in a chance upon interview at SM Clark on Sunday, said the problem on piggeries stemmed from the classification of Sta. Cruz as “agro-industrial.”
“If the piggeries have enough facilities and follow the orders set by the EMB, we have no recourse but to give them permits. We can only close down if they violate the rules,” said Tapang.
He added that he will run for councilor next year vowing to change the reclassification of Sta. Cruz and Manibaug Paralaya to residential.
On the other hand, the TFCA recommended the transfer of the piggeries to Barangay Mitla, Porac. It will be declared a Livestock Zone of the town.
But the PGKM said the plan to transfer the piggeries to Mitla “is a ploy and delaying tactic.”
“Where in the hell is Mitla and have they asked the people in the village and nearby areas about their plan? Besides, it will still spread harmful and foul smell if you put them there,” added Dobles.
Thus said yesterday the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) as it branded as “political and publicity stunts” the closure of two piggeries in Barangays Sta. Cruz and Manibaug Paralaya led by Porac Mayor Roger Santos on July 17.
“Mayor Santos and his people simply reduced a bit the poison emitted by the piggeries,” added PGKM’s Sonny Dobles.
Recently, Dobles cited a US-based study indicating that piggeries emit hydrogen sulfite, a deadly gas which can cause “sudden death and other serious ailments.”
The PGKM and the Kruzada Kontra Amoy (KKA) have called for the transfer of at least 12 prominent piggeries in the two villages outside of the town.
Santos, accompanied by his technical assistant Mike Tapang and Task Force Clean Air (TFCA) Chairman Rogie Pangilinan, issued a closure order and padlocked the Logo Farm owned by Fe Tan Kho and LTO farm owned by Letty Ong.
“Enough is enough,” told Santos to mediamen, stressing that ‘this is not only to show my intention to address the problem but rather to protect the health of my people.”
“In this case we mean business. It is either they comply or be permanently closed,” added Santos, who disclosed that two piggeries had failed to comply with sanitary procedures and “discharge permits” from the Environment and Management Bureau (EMB).
The two piggeries have poor facilities as assessed by the Porac Sanitation Office and had pending case with the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB).
But Dobles said “much bigger and 10 more piggeries are open.”
“It doesn’t help much to close down two piggeries. They have to be shut down all together,” said Dobles.
Pangilinan, in a statement, said the TFCA had forwarded it’s recommendation last February to the municipal council to permanently address the stench emanating from hog farms in the two villages, one which is near Angeles City.
“The fate of these piggeries are in the hands of the municipal councilors,” said Pangilinan, adding that the “it remained untouched” by the town council led by Vice Mayor Jing Capil.
But the PGKM lashed at Santos, saying “it’s the mayor and not the council members who can really end the problem on Porac piggeries.”
“The mayor is passing the problem to the councilors and vice mayor when he is the father of the people,” said Dobles. “He can close them down by simply not giving them permits.”
“The complaints of residents are enough reasons to make the mayor close down all the piggeries,” said Dobles.
Tapang, in a chance upon interview at SM Clark on Sunday, said the problem on piggeries stemmed from the classification of Sta. Cruz as “agro-industrial.”
“If the piggeries have enough facilities and follow the orders set by the EMB, we have no recourse but to give them permits. We can only close down if they violate the rules,” said Tapang.
He added that he will run for councilor next year vowing to change the reclassification of Sta. Cruz and Manibaug Paralaya to residential.
On the other hand, the TFCA recommended the transfer of the piggeries to Barangay Mitla, Porac. It will be declared a Livestock Zone of the town.
But the PGKM said the plan to transfer the piggeries to Mitla “is a ploy and delaying tactic.”
“Where in the hell is Mitla and have they asked the people in the village and nearby areas about their plan? Besides, it will still spread harmful and foul smell if you put them there,” added Dobles.
