Mandaue cracks down on erring piggeries

THE Mandaue city government ordered the closure of several piggeries in sitio Ihawan, barangay Mantuyong for violating sanitation and zoning law.

The piggeries lacked business and sanitation permits, and were seen dumping animal wastes directly in the Mantuyong creek, said City Legal Officer Giovanni Tianero.

Agricultural enterprises should be 500 meters away from residential and commercial areas.

The location of the slaughter house in barangay Labogon complies with zoning and sanitation requirements.

The violations of the piggeries were reported by the City Health Office, City Veterinarian, Zoning Office and City Treasurer about the existence of 20 piggeries in commercial and residential areas.

The piggeries may be the subject of demlition, said Tianero.

He said City Hall would tap various offices involved in the transport of live animals, including the police to prevent any trouble from breaking out.

But he gave no timeframe when this would happen.

Tianero said some piggery owners expressed willingness to transfer their live animals to the city slaughter house.

Buddy Alain Ybañez, administrative officer of the City Legal Office, said they inspected the piggeries.

He said that it took them months to issue a demolition notice because it required due process.

Humanitarian considerations were also given.

The demolition and eventual transfer of these slaughterhouses would affect the livelihood of several families.

Maria Juinness Pepito, 41, told CDN that the location of the city slaughterhouse in barangay Labogon was impractical for them since no customers would go there to buy meat because it is remote.

She and her husband rely on selling pigs and goats to suport their family of seven children.

Pepito said she is thinking of closing her business once their piggery is demolished.