University poultry farm lacks permit

BAGUIO - The absence of operational requirements were discovered on the Benguet State University (BSU) poultry farm upon the investigation of the Municipal Health Services Office (MHSO).

Despite the mitigating measures done by the BSU management against the unsanitary and foul smell reported from the poultry farm, the MHSO also found lack of operational requirements such as health certificates of employees, environmental compliance certificate or certificate of non-coverage, sanitary permit, and business permit.

It was learned the BSU poultry farm was earlier exempted for license permit with only 500 chicken heads which is used for educational purposes.

However, the number of layers grew to 11,000 providing eggs in the local market.

La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda meanwhile urged BSU to process their permits and comply.

The municipality has given the management three months to review and secure the necessary operational requirements on or before December 18 this year.

Meanwhile, a recommendation was forwarded to BSU to continuously implement mitigating measures to reduce the unpleasant smell from the chicken manure.

Pursuant to Executive No. 72, a poultry farm is required to apply to the municipality concerned.

Vicinity map, site development plan, certified true copy of contract of sale, environmental compliance certificate from the Environmental Management Bureau, site clearance from local health officer on the suitability of the location must be secured.

Establishments are also urged to secure a sanitary permit issued by the local health officer before they could operate while employees of the poultry farm are required to secure a health certificate. SSBaguio