Mayor Oñate, who supported Gomez's opponent in the May 2022 Congressional bid, expressed belief that the act is a reprisal. But records showed the poultry firm has gross environmental violations and no permit to operate to show.
Something is going on!
Leyte Representative and former Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez’ continuous plea for a probe on DBSN Farms Agriventures Corporation, a poultry firm owned by the family of Mayor Ramon Oñate of Palompon, Leyte, now bears results.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Leyte indeed found several violations in the operation of the animal breeding and processing farm located in Barangay San Joaquin, Palompon.
DBSN, which has a 55,000-capacity chicken dressing plant in Albuera and a breeder farm in Palompon with a capacity of 88,000 chicken heads, was found to have no permit to quarry or dig dumpsites in the area to contain the wastes the farm produces.
In a certification issued last July 14, PENRO officer-in-charge Macarthur O. Flores said that DBSN/DBSN Breeder Farm has “no existing record” for any permit applied for, or application “relative to any quarry operations” in the barangay.
House Panel investigations have also revealed that the breeder farm has been burying their chicken manure and other solid wastes in a dumpsite illegally excavated on a lot in Barangay San Joaquin. That lot is located inside the perimeter of the Palompon Watershed and Forest Reserve established in 1988 under Proclamation 212.
Oñate vs Gomez
Earlier, Gomez raised his concerns over environmental violations which he claims to have brought extensive pollution of the water, soil, and air in those areas.
During a hearing of the House committee on environment and natural resources, Gomez also pointed at the apparent complicity of the local governments of Palompon and Albuera, as well as the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in the illegal activities of private businesses operating within their jurisdiction.
Earlier this month, Oñate welcomed the challenge of the potential charges against his property.
“We welcome the intent of Congressman Gomez to file the case in our esteemed courts, which is the proper venue to hear his complaints and decide upon them. In our highly respected courts, we stand on even ground as the allegations will be properly threshed out and he cannot cowardly hide under the dress of congressional immunity,” Oñate said in a statement.
The mayor further stated that DBSN was accredited by the National Meat Inspection Service for “Good Manufacturing Practices” and was granted AAA rating by the National Meat Inspection Service.
Oñate also said DBSN passed an environmental performance assessment by an independent audit firm led by Engr. Aldwin Camance.
This claim has been proven otherwise.
‘Walang pamumulitika’
Gomez dismissed the mayor’s accusations that his efforts are politically motivated.
Oñate expressed belief Gomez is coming after him after he supported and voted for the latter's rival, the former elections commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, during the congressional elections in 2022.
“Hindi ito pamumulitika. (It’s not politicking). I have all the legal basis here. It is telling the people that he is an abusive mayor and he uses his power for his personal gains,” Gomez said in an interview.
Now, with investigations and results lining up against the mayor, Gomez has proposed the filing of criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against the firm owners for gross violation of the country’s land and environmental laws.
Gomez also proposed that the House panel come up with a report and a conclusion that the owners, along with complicit employees of the DENR regional office, will be charged for violation of the Forestry Act and environmental management laws for environment pollution.
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