SP asks CHO to check 'foul odor' at new slaughterhouse
BACOLOD CITY -- Councilor Alex Paglumotan, chairman of the Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouse, has asked, through a resolution passed last Wednesday, City Health Officer Dr. Salome Biñas to verify the complaints regarding the alleged foul odor emanating from the new slaughterhouse in Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City.
Paglumotan said the memorandum of agreement entered into by the city with AVM Bernardo Engineering provides that the operator should ensure public health.
On November 20, Handumanan United Kasilingan Against Slaughterhouse Baho (HUKAS-BAHO) and residents of Handumanan lodged a complaint to Mayor Evelio Leonardia regarding the foul odor coming from the new slaughterhouse since it started its operation on August 2008.
"The foul odor is caused by chemicals, dead animals and manure of livestock like carabao, pigs and other animals, which has brought health problems to us like headache, dizziness, stomachache and loss of appetite," they claimed.
Ernie Ubano, legal counsel of AVM Bernardo, said the only chemical they use to clean their waste water treatment facility is chlorine.
"We do not use any other chemicals except chlorine for our waste water treatment facility," Urbano stressed.
On the issue of dead animals, Urbano said animals they slaughter are immediately delivered to the markets, while it is the responsibility of the City Veterinarian to condemn "hot meat" under the ordinance.
"I do not know what dead animals they are referring to," Urbano added.
Holding pens on the other hand are properly maintained and cleaned by their personnel 24 hours a day.
"We also aim to attain zero discharge by recycling the water used in our operation to water our vegetable farm behind the facility," he said.
The company practiced since then a more sanitary slaughterhouse and they have close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources who inspects the facility every now and then.