Seven piggeries found to be operating at Fairview barangay were subjected to a joint inspection by the City Environment and Parks Management Office and the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office on Feb. 17, 2023.
This was prompted by a complaint received by the City Engineering Office “of unsanitary and improper disposal of piggery and domestic waste along the creek at Purok 7, Sunnyside causing odorous and unpleasant smell along the area.”
The City Special Services Division of the City Mayor’s Office immediately engaged the barangay officials and identified seven piggeries in the area.
The City Building and Architecture Office will also investigate the structures put up along the creek easement.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned anew residents who continue to defy laws prohibiting hog-raising in the city of sanction as the practice is not allowed in highly urbanized cities like Baguio as per the city’s Environment Code, Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act, Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Water Act and Republic Act 9904 or the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations.
Sanctions include demolition of pigpens, confiscation of hogs and filing of criminal charges.
CEPMO Officer Rhenan Diwas said the laws prohibit hog raising in the city due to the “perilous impact to river quality of direct discharge of wastewater, especially from the operation of piggeries within river easements.”
Before the city implemented the total closure of piggeries in 2020, the city’s piggery population was at more than 700. The number dwindled to more than 200 towards the deadline set by the city in January 2020.
However, the business again thrived at the height of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
At present, the CEPMO has been monitoring and issuing closure notices to a number that still insist on operating. ** Aileen P. Refuerzo
