• CHERYL G. CRUZ
No new backyard piggeries and poultry farms shall be allowed within residential subdivisions, socialized housing projects, and densely-populated urban barangays in Bacolod City.
The proposed “Comprehensive Bacolod City Backyard Farming Sanitation” ordinance, approved on first reading by the Sangguniang Panlungsod June 17, stressed that while the city recognizes backyard farming as a source of local livelihood, “such activities must strictly adhere to sanitary standards, disease control protocols, and zoning regulations so as not to become a nuisance, or a health hazard, to the community.”
Proponent Councilor Em Ang noted that rapid urbanization has led to the expansion of residential communities into areas previously used for agricultural and backyard farming in Bacolod, thus the urgent need to harmonize the livelihood of small-scale backyard raisers with the strict sanitation standards.
“Unregulated backyard piggeries and poultry raising poses severe environmental and public health hazards, including the proliferation of disease-carrying insects, emission of foul odors, contamination of local waterways, and the threat of zoonotic diseases, such as African swine fever and Avian influenza,” Ang, chairperson of the SP Committee on Health and Sanitation, added.
Per the proposed ordinance co-authored by councilors Bobby Rojas and Homer Bais, animal pens must be located at least 25 meters away from any neighboring residential house, school, church, or public facility.
The pens shall also be at least 25 meters away from any groundwater source, or open waterway. “All backyard piggeries must construct a sealed septic tank, a lined catch basin, or a functioning biogas digester to catch animal waste and wastewater.”
The discharge of animal waste into canals, esteros, rivers, or open lands, and the throwing of dead animals into waterways or garbage bins, are strictly prohibited, the proposed ordinance states.
Pens must be cleaned and disinfected daily, and raisers must use anti-odor treatments to prevent the emission of foul smells, it added. “Any resident affected by nuisance caused by backyard farming may file a formal complaint with the barangay concerned.”
Ang clarified that backyard piggery shall be limited to the raising of pigs for personal consumption or small-scale livelihood, not exceeding two sows or 10 fatteners. “Any operation exceeding this number shall be classified as commercial and must secure appropriate business permits and environmental compliance certificates.”
For backyard poultry, the number of chickens, ducks, quails, or other fowls should not exceed 50 heads. “All backyard raisers must register their operations with their respective barangay sanggunian and secure a certificate of backyard farming compliance annually. | CGC
