Chicken dung dealers defy LT mayor’s order

By Dennis R. Khan

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Chicken dung dealers still refuse to desist in their business despite an order of Mayor Gregorio Abalos to stop selling and trading chicken dung here in Barangay Shilan.

The dealers were given until August 1 to comply and vacate the area but until now, they are conducting brisk sales there despite complaints of residents who said the dung had polluted the air and environs with nauseating smell its residue.

The dung dealers tried to submit their request for a temporary restraining order but were denied by two courts as of August 2.

The reportedly ignored also an order of the courts to stop selling in the area and were preparing a rally to conduct in front of the La Trinidad municipal hall to press the mayor to change his decision that day when they were invited by town police chief Montes Mogona inside the municipal hall to air their side.

Despite this, they were about to start the rally when they were confronted by the Abalos who told them he had made his decision and can’t change his mind out of concern for residents of Shilan.

The mayor asked the dealers to stop selling in the area and respect his and the courts’ decision or they will be forced to use police power to ensure compliance to the order.

They left the municipal grounds but to date, the dealers were reportedly still selling chicken dung in Shilan at press time.