CH closes factory due to stench

A repacking firm in Sitio Canumay, Barangay Pit-os, Cebu City was shut down yesterday morning by the Government for violating City Ordinance 1656, or the 1996 Revised Zoning Ordinance.

Raquel Arce, head of City Hall’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) unit, said residents surrounding the factory of Good Harvest and Spice Corp. have complained about the foul odor from the facility.

“Mura man gud ni silag magsagol og spice, mag-blend, mag-manufacture ba. Ang baho mugawas gyud mao nga gireklamo sa mga residents. I don’t think maka-reopen sila kay if the same kind of business, di jud pwede ilang hangyo. It’s located in a residential area. Ang complainant sige pud og follow up,” she said.

Owners of the firm received a three-day notice last July 13 from Probe, giving them time to voluntarily close their business estab- lishment in compliance with the final closure order dated June 29 that was signed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

The City Government sent the first closure order last Feb. 27.

The management of the factory wrote to Osmeña last July 10 and asked for a six-month extension so they can relocate

The company has reportedly signed a contract with a private individual for the lease of a warehouse building located in an industrial zone in Mandaue City.

However, the building will be ready for occupation in December yet.

“We are making this earnest plea not for financial reasons, but mainly for the benefit of our 48 employees who are mostly breadwinners and who would be adversely affected by an abrupt closure of the company,” they added.

But the mayor denied the firm’s request and the plant was shut down without any resistance from the management.