By Bonita Ermac
MANTICAO, Misamis Oriental -- More than 300 hundred residents raised the alarm here on fly infestation that may cause the spread of disease.
(Flickr / MANILA BULLETIN)
The residents of Purok 1 and 2, Barangay Patag identified Geometric Prime Builders Corporation and Ely-luz Caballero poultry farm, the latter owned by a councilor and health committee chairman of the town's council (Sangguniang Bayan) as the source of the flies.
Residents claimed that flies are all over their place, even disturbing their cooking, eating, and sleeping.
"Nagkukulambo na lang kami habang kumakain (we use mosquito nets even while eating)," said Illys Kheen Anticamara.
The swarming of flies usually happen when chicks reach 20-days old all the way through the harvest to 35-days until after cleaning, she said.
Their complaint was filed in September, 2018but has not been resolved.
Since the complaint was filed through 8888 citizen's complaint hotline, the local government unit and the Environmental Management Board (EMB) are supposed to meet with the complainants and the poultry owners.
The poultry farm owners committed to construct a high exhaust vent to limit exposure of odorous fumes and application of chemical (fly regimen) and closely monitor poultry personnel manning the spray operation.
The owners also said that if the issue on odor and flies persist, the company will voluntary suspend its operation.
Barangay captain Anna Marie Bongay said this commitment by the farm owners were not complied with.
"Hindi natupad ang pinangako nilang vent at lagusan ng dumi", she said.
Ely-luz Caballero poultry farm caretaker Michael Hambre said they have executed and complied through the spraying of chemicals and controlling of flies inside the poultry farm.
“Ang langaw lumalabas lang tuwing harvest. Natupad namin ang pagkontrol ng langaw kasi hindi na ganun karami ang langaw dito. Yung mga langaw sa bahay, meron naman talaga yan,” said Hambre.
Ely-luz Caballero poultry farm produces some 80,000 broiler chicken while Geometric Prime Builders produces 40,000.