LOPEZ JAENA, Misamis Occidental — A poultry operator in Barangay Macalibre Alto, Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental has been issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) following weeks of inspections, consultations, coordination and investigation into environmental concerns that emerged amid a significant fly infestation affecting several upland barangays.
The enforcement action on September 19 came after government agencies and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Lopez Jaena conducted a series of field activities to determine the possible sources of the fly infestation and assess environmental and sanitation conditions in affected areas.
The investigation was publicly addressed by the LGU’s Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) as early as August 11, when the municipality issued an official statement in response to reports and social media posts about the unusually high number of flies in parts of Lopez Jaena.
According to the MENRO statement, a joint inspection and monitoring activity was conducted by the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMU-EMB), Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Enforcement Section and the LGU of Lopez Jaena.
The LGU inspection team, representing the Office of the Municipal Mayor through Atty. Sumile Jr., included personnel from the MENRO, Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) and Municipal Health Office (MHO).
Chicken manure found scattered along roadside
One of the most significant initial findings was the presence of scattered chicken manure along the boundary of Barangays Luzaran and Sibula.
The MENRO said information gathered during the inspection indicated that the manure had allegedly been provided free of charge to individuals who requested it from a private poultry farm operator in Barangay Macalibre Alto.
However, the manure was reportedly not properly handled or disposed of by the recipients and was instead left scattered along the sides of the road.
The municipality identified the improper handling and disposal of the manure as a significant contributing factor to the continuing fly infestation in affected areas.
The finding also prompted authorities to remind the concerned poultry operator about the proper handling, storage, collection and disposal of poultry manure.
Importantly, the August 11 statement did not identify the scattered manure as the sole cause of the fly infestation. Instead, it described it as one of the potential contributing factors identified during the initial inspection.
Sanitation concerns found at another poultry farm
The initial inspection also identified sanitary lapses at a poultry farm in a neighboring municipality.
According to the MENRO, these conditions may also have contributed to the fly infestation affecting the upland barangays of Bagong Silang, Don Andres Soriano (DAS), Macalibre Alto and Mahayahay.
The findings showed that the environmental concern extended beyond a single location, prompting continued coordination among the LGU, DENR-EMB, poultry operators, neighboring local governments and other concerned agencies.
At the time of the August 11 statement, DENR-EMB had informed the LGU that an official inspection report containing the agency’s final findings and recommendations would be submitted after completion and finalization of its assessment.
Investigation continued after initial findings
The investigation did not end with the initial August inspection.
On August 13, DENR-EMB, PEMU-EMB, the CENRO Enforcement Section and the LGU continued examining the reported fly infestation and the environmental conditions associated with poultry manure and sanitation.
The successive inspections, meetings, consultations and investigations eventually led to the issuance of the Notice of Violation against a poultry operator in Barangay Macalibre Alto on September 19.
A Notice of Violation is a formal regulatory action issued when an environmental regulatory agency determines that an establishment has violated applicable environmental laws, regulations, permit conditions or environmental standards.
It formally informs the concerned establishment of the violations identified by the regulatory authority and the corrective or compliance measures required to address them.
The September 19 action therefore marks a later stage in the regulatory process following the initial investigation and subsequent assessment by the environmental authorities.
The issuance of the NOV does not, by itself, constitute a criminal conviction. It is a regulatory notice requiring the concerned establishment to address identified violations and comply with applicable environmental requirements.
LGU, DENR to continue monitoring
The LGU of Lopez Jaena said it would continue working with DENR-EMB, neighboring LGUs, poultry operators and other concerned agencies to address the fly infestation and protect the sanitation, environment and welfare of affected communities.
Authorities have also reminded poultry operators and individuals handling poultry manure that proper collection, storage, handling and disposal are essential to prevent sanitation problems and conditions that can contribute to the proliferation of flies.
The case highlights how improper agricultural waste management can become a community-wide environmental concern, particularly when poultry facilities and manure disposal areas are located near residential communities and public roads.
With the issuance of the NOV, attention now shifts toward compliance with the environmental requirements identified by DENR-EMB and continued monitoring by the concerned government offices.
Further regulatory action will depend on the findings of the environmental authorities, the corrective measures undertaken by the concerned operator and the establishment’s compliance with applicable environmental standards.