Paz: City looking into piggery operation

CEBU, Philippines – Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza assured members of the City Council that she has directed the City Environment and Natural Resources Office to look into the complaints raised by the residents of Barangay Bankal against the operation of a piggery in the area.

Mayor Radaza relayed the information to the City Council, as she refused to allow the city department heads to appear before the council regular session.

The City Council in a resolution asked Mayor Radaza to require the presence of City Health Officer Dr. Rodolfo Berame, City Environment and Natural Resources Head Engr. Roderico Tagaan, Solid Waste and Management consultant Cleofe Solids and Helen Mandal, head of the Solid Waste Management Office.

The request of the City Council was in response to the proposed ordinance submitted by Councilor Eduardo Cuizon  declaring the piggery business of Edward Tan as nuisance.

The ordinance asked for the immediate closure of the said piggery business in Barangay Bankal.

In her letter to the City Council, Mayor Radaza said, "Please be informed that the attention of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office has already been called and has been required to take immediate action on this matter."

The city mayor further said  it appears that the subject ordinance is singling a specific person and imposing a penalty which may violate established prohibition in the enactment of ordinance.

Some residents of Barangay Bankal in Lapu-Lapu City claimed that the piggery business of Tan has created pollution and  has threatened the health condition of the people, especially the children.