Trinidad mayor stops chicken dung business

By Dennis R. Khan

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Mayor Gregorio Abalos has ordered strict implemented of an ordinance stopping the sale of chicken dung in Barangay Shilan in this town.

Chicken dung dealing and trading had been good business for farmers and dealers here particularly in Shilan for years but according to Abalos, the health of constituents and compliance to environmental laws were more important.

Abalos said there had been a lot of complains and problems caused by the operation of big delivery trucks traversing the roads and unloading the chicken dung in Shilan.

He said this had been a nuisance because of the nauseating or foul smell which caused not only loss of appetite but unhealthy way of living for residents and daily passers in the area who inhale the fumes coming from the dung every day especially the children.

Though chicken dung is healthy for the soil, this caused danger to health, he added.
Chicken dung dealers and traders are now complaining saying they can’t just abandon their business because this is where they get their livelihood,

But Abalos said they will be relocated to other areas of Benguet where they can continue their business and there would be less people who would be affected.

Despite this, dung traders said relocating their operations in other areas would be disadvantageous to their livelihood because of additional operational cost.

Local residents said one of the reasons why the mayor, who is in his first term, ordered a stop to the chicken dung business because it had been the subject of controversies.

These ranged from allegations that some local officials have been receiving "grease money" so their business would be tolerated even if this was considered illegal by a municipal ordinance.
The dung dealers and traders are planning a court petition for a temporary restraining order while no area is found yet yet for their relocation.