Brgy officials in Tigbauan, Iloilo resign over foul odor, mosquitoes emanating from farm
By Tara Yap
Barangay officials of Linobayan, Tigbauan town, Iloilo province. (Photo from Barangay's Facebook page)
ILOILO CITY— All nine officials of a barangay (village) in Tigbauan town of Iloilo province are going to resign over a problem with a poultry farm.
Barangay Captain of Rene Taño Linobayan led the submission of their mass resignation to Tigbauan Mayor Virgilio Teruel this week.
The resignation of Taño as well as Barangay Kagawads Joesa Mae Mendez, Mary Rose Agapay-Sagala, Leticia Trespecios, Leticia Tasic, Rico Taño, Johnny Vale, and Efren Tayag; and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson Ejelyn Claire Casio are set to take effect on September 10.
According to Taño, the mass resignation is a protest over the problem that escalated with a poultry farm in neighboring Barangay Sipitan.
It was last year that Linobayan residents started complaining of the foul odor and the presence of mosquitoes.
Barangay officials led by Taño reported it to the local government unit (LGU), which sent an inspection team that found that the odor was "minimal".
This did not sit well with residents while Taño and other barangay officials are facing a civil damages case filed by the new owner of the poultry farm.
On his part, Teruel urged the barangay officials to reconsider their decision to resign as it would impact the services in Barangay Linobayan.
The Local Government Code stipulates that resignations of barangay officials only can take effect if it's accepted by the municipal mayor.
Teruel also denied that the LGU of Tigbauan under his administration did not properly take action against the problems caused by the poultry farm.