The solution to the long-standing problem on the illegal operation of chicken dung operators in La Trinidad, Benguet is for them to transfer their operation to nearby Tublay.
Mayor Romeo Salda said eight chicken dung operators along the stretch of Halsema Road Shilan have defied the closure order issued by the local government last Jan. 8 by continuing their operations despite the absence of a business permit.
Still, Salda said the LGU will implement the closure order. He said a task force in-charge of fencing the gate of the entrance of the dealers will soon be created.
He said the permanent solution is for the operators to transfer in Tublay, which has an ordinance allowing the operation of chicken dung business in its area.
Tublay is host to several chicken dung dealers scattered along the national highway towards Atok.
La Trinidad has iterated Administrative Order 8 s. 2010 issued on July 23, 2010 which declared the chicken dung business a public nuisance, hence the prohibition on the sale, disposal, and storage of chicken dung in the municipality.
Salda said the areas where the illegal dung businesses are operating are located in private properties, which are being rented by the dealers.
Since the operators have no business permits, the municipality is not benefiting from their continuous illegal operation since 2018. This led to lawsuits involving the LGU and police responsible for the enforcement of law against the operators.
Last year, the municipal council recommended to the mayor to close all chicken dung trading, distribution and storage in the municipality.
The operators appealed to the LGU for them to be given an extension, but the latter was denied by the municipal council. However, they continued to operate despite several closure orders from the LGU. – Ofelia C. Empian
