SP inspects portion of Lumbia due to swarm of blow flies

In aid of legislation, Councilor Roger G. Abaday, chair of the City Council committee on environment, together with Councilors Imee Moreno, Malvern Esparcia, and James K. Judith II, personally checked last Friday areas in Barangay Lumbia to verify the source of swarm of blowflies plaguing residents.

The joint committees on environment and on health, nutrition, and health insurance chaired by Councilor Maria Lourdes S. Gaane were tasked to investigate the complaint allegedly due to the operation of a poultry farm.

Prior to the inspection, the joint committee met with concerned sectors including the Barangay Council of Lumbia headed by Barangay Chair Alexander V. Toralba, and with the Municipality of Baungon, Bukidnon headed by Mayor Rogelio Jaraula together with Vice Mayor Felipe Ragudo.

According the representative of Baungon, they already looked into the situation and even suspended the process of business permit issuance because of the issue. She also explained that the swarming of flies maybe caused by backyard poultry farming and during the harvesting of mangoes.

She added the LGU-Baungon has tightened mitigation measures during the transport of poultries and recommended the installation of traditional net or tunnel vent to contain the swarm of blowflies.

A representative of EMB-DENR stated they have also undertaken joint inspections with LGU Baungon, focusing on poultry farms with Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC).

He, however, clarified that they only checks poultry farm with 10,000 or more chicken population.

For his part, Councilor Esparcia manifested: “It’s about time nga atong usabon ang requirements nato pagbuhat sa poultry. Kay kung dili kaya mokuha og ingana nga technology, sorry dili nato tagaan og permit”.

Councilor Abaday said the joint committee will conduct collaborative meeting again and invite poultry farm owners and representatives of Department of Agriculture to further discuss the matter.