SEVERAL Dumanjug residents filed a notice to sue owners of a hog farm, municipal government officials and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officials for allegedly violating their right to a healthy ecology.
The complainants plan to ask for up to P20 million in damages from farm owners, whom they accused of improperly disposing of agricultural waste and encroaching into their property.
Dumanjug residents led by Sarha Escuadro, Antonio Belocura and Adriano Belocura filed the notice, over the allegedly illegal operation of a hog farm in Barangay Lawaan.
The complainants, assisted by the Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc. (PEJC) led by lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, claimed the farm has no wastewater treatment facility and that agricultural wastes encroached on land owned by the farm’s neighbors.
“The piggery wastes contaminated the land, the air and the water ecosystems and caused diseases and vermin to multiply, aside from the offensive sight and stench, which the residents had to contend with daily,” the complainants said.
The group also complained about severe headaches and dizzy spells from the foul odor, and said many have fallen ill with dengue, respiratory ailments and high fever.
‘Big open dumpsite’
The area for the agricultural wastes “has become one big open dumpsite, spawning the flies and mosquitoes.”
PEJC lawyer Joan Dulhao showed photos of a lagoon of pig manure at the farm during a press conference yesterday.
Aside from the owners of Dumanjug Agri Ventures Corp., also named as respondents were Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, Lawaan Barangay Chief Alex Pasatiempo, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 7) Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso and acting Environmental Management Bureau (EMB 7) Director Alan Arranguez.
The officials were accused of gross violation of the people’s rights to life, health, safety, comfort, a healthful and balanced ecology and use of property. The public officials were also accused of gross negligence in their supposed failure to implement Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
One of the owners of the farm, Jessica Panihado, asked that her comments not be printed and referred inquiries to a farm consultant.
Biogas plan
Engr. Sin Del Jamorol said the farm is developing a waste-to-energy project through biogas production from pig manure.
He said they have installed two tanks last year but the project is not yet completed and the owners need more time to install the equipment.
He added that modern technology is employed and the lagoon in the area does not contain pig manure but liquid organic fertilizer.
A hog farm with more than 300 heads was ordered closed last week by Dumanjug Mayor Garcia.
“Last Wednesday, I was given authority by the Municipal Council to close the piggery after it was declared a public nuisance,” Garcia told Sun.Star Cebu in a phone interview.
He said the farm owners have 10 days after receipt of the order to stop operations.
Garcia said the owners signed an agreement with the local government to address issues raised, including the setting up of a biogas facility.
He also said he did not issue a mayor’s permit.
Conditions
But Municipal Treasurer Leticia Cabillon said a permit was issued to Dumanjug Agri-Ventures Corp. last January 2011.
Garcia said the issue is within the jurisdiction of the DENR, which is supposed to monitor Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) conditions, and that he sent a letter to the agency.
DENR 7 information officer Dr. Eddie Llamedo said a team from the DENR 7 will inspect the hog farm in Dumanjug town today to check for possible environmental law violations.
“As to the complaint of Atty. Ramos, we will be sending her a letter informing her of a technical conference to be called by EMB 7 on the results of the July 21 investigation,” he added.
Llamedo said the environment agency’s inquiry last month showed non-compliance with some parameters in DENR Administrative Order No. 35 or the effluents standards, as
adopted from Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
The EMB, a line agency of DENR, has not issued an ECC to the Dumanjug farm operator.
