CONCEPCION, Tarlac (Feb. 8, 2023) — Three poultry farms here were ordered closed yesterday by the municipal mayor after they were found in violation of several environmental and health laws.
Ordered to cease operations immediately were OLN Poultry Farm in Barangay Sta. Rita, R2 Tunnel Vent Poultry Farm in Barangay San Nicolas Balas, and PFMC Realty Holdings, Inc. in Barangay San Bartolome.
The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers led the municipal team, with Health and Sanitation, Treasury, and the Municipal Planning and Development Office escorted by Concepcion police officers.
According to Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Chairman Carlo Avena, the erring poultry farms cannot release or bring products.
“They will be prosecuted if they do not comply with the closure order. They were given ample time to fix their operation and facilities, but until now, they still haven’t fixed it,” said SB Avena.
According to Mayor Noel Villanueva’s Order to Cease Operations, “there has been a consistent (sic) clamor for sanitation and the eradication of flies by the people of Concepcion, Tarlac, attributed to the continuous failure of poultry farms to comply with environmental laws and regulations.”
Among the laws and regulations cited in the order are:
- Non-implementation of proper housekeeping practices to prevent the generation of obnoxious odor and proliferation of flies in the area and adjacent communities.
- No Materials Recovery Facilities
- No multi-chambered septic tank
- No discharge permit of wastewater
- Poor environment and unsanitary surroundings causing the infestation of flies
Infrequent/irregular operations of wastewater treatment facilities
Of the three farms, only R2 Tunnel Vent refused to acknowledge acceptance of the Order, prompting Sangguniang Bayan Member and Chairman of the Committee on Health and Sanitation, Calvin Sardia, to read the document to one of the staff present.
