DENR suspends operation of pig, poultry farms around Laguna Lake

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the suspension of all hog and poultry farms suspected of polluting Laguna Lake.
“Those piggeries and poultries that are polluting our rivers, their ECC will be suspended. Hindi canceled (but) suspended pending investigation,” clarified DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda.
“Ayaw nating magkaroon ng chaos when it comes sa supply ng manok at baboy but we need to take care of our environment. These businessmen should shape up or else they will be shut down,” he added.
The City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) supports the decision of the DENR.
“Ang kalinisan (ay) shared responsibility. Hindi lang nasa gobyerno o nasa pamahalaan kundi lahat tayo dapat maglinis ng ating kapaligiran dahil tayo rin apektado. So siguro pagtulung-tulongan natin mahalin at protektahan iyon. Ating kapaligiran dahil tayo rin ang magsa-suffer nito pag nasira ng tuluyan. So, tulong-tulong sa paglilinis,” said Marilou Balba, head of San Pedro City CENRO.
For a hog raiser like Mario Corpuz, having a proper animal waste disposal facility is a must for businesses like his.
He has been raising pigs for over three decades now in his farm in Barangay Cuyab in the municipality of San Pedro in Laguna.
His pig farm is about 250 meters away from Laguna Lake but he assures that his business does not cause pollution to the Lake because he has his own facility that deposits and treats animal discharges from his farm.
“Dapat talaga may sariling deposito. Katulad noong sa akin, may depositong waste ng baboy hindi naman natakbo sa lawa. Nakikita nyo naman (ang) layo pa ng lawa sa akin,” Corpus argued.
Even so, Corpuz’ farm is not exempted from DENR’s suspension order.
The DENR’s investigation is now rolling off in all piggeries and poultry farms near and around Laguna Lake to check for violations of R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2002. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Sherwin Culubong)