Criminal complaints have been filed against the owners and caretakers of four poultry farms in Pampanga for reportedly dumping animal wastes into the province’s rivers, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Thursday, Sept. 16.
“Criminal cases for violation of Section 48 (6) of RA 9003 and Article 91 (b)(5) of PD 1067 were filed against the owners of the poultry farms namely: Bernie Lugtu of Isaruiz Poultry Farm, Manolito Visda of Visda Poultry Farm, Luna Shiela Cortes of CTS Poultry Farm, and Jesusa Hinagpis of ACMD Farm,” the NBI said in a statement.
Republic Act No. 9003 is the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, while Presidential Decree No. 1067 is the Water Code of the Philippines.
Also charged upon their arrest during the inspection were the supervisors and caretakers of the farms identified as Assiclo Simbajon, Cecilio Noli Almirante, Lorelie Sumampong, and Rosewin Lugtu, the NBI said.
It said the inspection of the farms in Sto. Tomas and Minalin towns were conducted by Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) and the NBI’s Environmental Crime Division (NBI-EnCD) last July 14.
“The operation was in relation to the poultry farms’ disposal of animal wastes directly in water body without segregation, collection, and proper disposal,” the NBI said.
“Consequently, during floods, the animal wastes and excrement spill into Ilug Balen and Masoloso River in Pampanga,” it said.