Aloguinsan poultry farm temporarily shut due to fly infestation

Local

A POULTRY farm in Aloguinsan, Cebu has been ordered to temporarily suspend its operations due to improper poultry management that resulted in fly infestation.

The suspension order issued by the Office of the Mayor cited violations of the ordinance committed by Bene Harvest Farm Incorporated in Barangay Bombon.

The farm had applied for a Clearance Certificate for Poultry Harvest on Sept. 4, prompting the rural sanitary inspector to conduct an on-site inspection, wherein the management of the farm was reminded to implement proper manure handling, apply drying agents, improve ventilation, and ensure proper waste treatment of its farm to avoid fly infestation.

However, days after, the local government unit received complaints over the sudden surge of houseflies affecting the neighborhood, prompting officials from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (Menro) and the local sanitary inspector to conduct an ocular inspection.

During the inspection, authorities found various violations of the local ordinance on the operation and management of poultry, which include improper management of manure and the presence of a large swarm of flies in the farm buildings and even in the nearby residential areas.

The management was directed to apply pest control and hasten the chicken harvesting to eradicate the flies. However, in the following inspections conducted by the Municipal Task Force on Piggery and Poultry Inspection Team, the presence of flies was still affecting residents nearby.

According to the LGU, the farm violated provisions of their ordinance, which include improper poultry manure management, chemical deficiencies, and prolonged duration of harvesting activity.

“Thus, the evident violations of Bene Harvest Farm Incorporated, for the second time around, could not be simply tolerated. Hence, a temporary suspension of its operation is hereby issued effective immediately,” reads part of the order issued by Mayor Cesare Ignatius Moreno.

The order may only be lifted after the farm pays the fine under Ordinance No. 06-2022, and secures loading clearance from Menro and the Rural Sanitary Inspector for its next cycle.(MyTVCebu)