Mayor issues final warning to local hog-raisers

Mayor Benjamin Magalong has issued a stern warning to residents of the Summer Capital who continue to violate laws and regulations prohibiting hog-raising in the city.

The Mayor’s warning came after the discovery of several piggeries operating in Fairview barangay during a joint inspection by personnel of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) and City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO).

“This is the final warning otherwise we will already file criminal charges against them (hog raisers),” he stressed.

In a highly-urbanized city like Baguio, hog-raising is not allowed as the city’s Environment Code; Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act; Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Water Act and Republic Act 9904 or the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Association.

He disclosed that there were around three thousand piggeries operating in the city during his first term as Mayor and their number was whittled down by as much as 90 percent since then.

Now in his second term as the city’s Chief Executive, Magalong expressed exasperation that these piggeries are mushrooming all over the city once again.

“They (hog-raisers) are polluting our rivers. They just don’t care and only think of themselves. Even their neighbors are happy that these piggeries have been removed and their areas smell pleasant once more. Unfortunately, these piggeries are returning, that is why I will have these immediately confiscated,” he said.

CVAO head Dr. Silardo Bested, in a media forum, said the hog-raisers were already warned not to continue with their operations in 2019 and most complied with the order but many resumed once again during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic.

He stressed that there is no other recourse but to strictly enforce the city’s policy of no hog-raising and that no request for extensions will be approved.

Right now personnel from his office and CEPMO are issuing notice of violations to those still with piggeries for them to immediately cease operations or face legal consequences, Bested said. – Gaby B. Keith