Abattoir construction in Bulacao uses fake building permit?

CEBU, Philippines – The Office of the Building Official is investigating an ongoing abattoir construction in Barangay Bulacao using "fake" building permits.

The said construction was earlier opposed by the residents of a nearby subdivision due to its threat to public health and sanitation and for lack of pertinent construction permits.

The construction of the slaughterhouse owned by certain Erwin and Rowela Rosal stands in a property 100 meters from a private subdivision and closer to private residential houses in Bulacao.

Ariel Llanza, president of Villa Bulsita Homeowners Association, again reported to OBO yesterday that the construction resumed prompting him to verify if OBO has issued them permits despite the strong opposition not only from the residents of the subdivision but also of the nearby sitios.

Personnel at the OBO told him that they have not received any application for the construction of a chicken abattoir in their area.

"Then they are illegally using the name of OBO because they put a sign with OBO's name stating the name of the project, the name of the owners, the start and expected completion of the construction," Llanza said.

OBO chief Josefa Ylanan said she will still check if there is an application but she confirmed that the owners illegally used the OBO's name because they did not issue any permit for the said construction.

The signage has no code number which OBO issues upon application. Another combination of number is issued when the application is granted which cannot be found in the signage. Ylanan said that she doubts if there is even an application because the said project was not even cleared at the barangay level.

In a public hearing attended by 31 residents surrounding the area, 28 opposed to the proposed slaughter house.

Last September 1, Villa Bulsita Homeowners Association wrote the Mayor and told him that the construction poses health and sanitation hazards to the residential community in the place.

"The chicken manure, its feathers, the disease these chickens may carry, the disposal of wastes, the foul odor, the noise and other risk and peril it brings cannot be countenanced," according to the petition.

Pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulation of the Sanitation Code of the Philippines, Chapter IV provides the site requirements for markets and abattoir to be at least 200 meters away from residential areas, schools, churches and places of public assembly, funeral establishments, courts or public office.

The abattoir specifically should be 25 meters away from markets and other food establishments. (FREEMAN)