Arrest Made at Dumanjug Chicken Beheading Scene
A Refreshed Take:
Mayor Gica Cracks Down on Illegally Dumped Poultry Waste
In the heart of Dumanjug, a disturbing issue had been brewing - the unregulated disposal of poultry waste. This odious problem, brought to the public's attention through Facebook posts, became the driving force behind Mayor Gica's robust response. In an exclusive interview with Cebu, he discussed the measures he's taking to address the situation.
In response to the growing concerns, the local government is considering enacting a new ordinance aimed at stamping out illegal poultry waste disposal. Mayor Gica pledged action, "Our sanitary inspector and teams have visited and posted recommendations on our Facebook page on June 12th." He also confirmed that they already have an ordinance in place to penalize offenders with fines totaling up to P2,000, although the Provincial Government's maximum fine is P2,500.
Mayor Gica's statement, "We found one poultry farm that was saving expenses by not properly disposing of their chicken waste in an open field. They claim they can't afford to pay for the proper disposal," underscores the severity of the issue. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the poultry farm owner was disposing of chicken waste in an open field near their property, directly contaminating the environment.
The proposed ordinance targets non-authorized disposal of poultry waste, aiming to promote a cleaner and safer Dumanjug. Gica forecasts that violators could be fined P2,500 per kilo of waste, although he adds that due to current circumstances, they cannot yet enforce this. "The penalty is P2,000 because the maximum penalty regulated by the Provincial Government is only P2,500. So, for every kilo fine they incur, it's P2,500, but we currently cannot do this, so we will only reprimand them," explains Gica.
In an effort to combat this environmental hazard, all relevant departments within the municipality, including the Bise-Mayor, Sangguniang Bayan, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, sanitary, and agricultural offices, have been involved in tackling the issue. Mayor Gica underscores, "We have had ordinances in place since 2016, and they continue to evolve."
Dumanjug, a municipality located 73 kilometers east of Cebu City, takes great pride in its local poultry industry. By enforcing regulations and promoting responsible waste management practices, Mayor Gica aims to preserve the health and sustainability of the industry while ensuring the wellbeing of its citizens.
