Davao city's poultry, hog farms facing closure
THE PHILIPPINES - The Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) said some livestock and poultry farms in this city are facing closure due to zonification plan.Livestock and poultry sector chair Simeon Soriano expressed fear that at least 10 percent of its members operating in Davao City will fold up their business by the end of the year.
Soriano pointed out primarily on the city’s Zonification Plan as among the gray areas that led the livestock and poultry industry in the city to decline.
He said of the 125 DCCCII members engaged in hogs and poultry industry, 10 percent are contemplating to close shop.
“We don’t have a clear zonification plan causing enormous impact in the industry,” Soriano said, adding that other factors include high cost of production due to increasing prices and permanent facilities at high costs only to be dismantled due to the complaints of residents.
The operators build the facilities based on the “unclear” Zonification Plan, he said.
“If you are an investor why will you invest in a business that will be ordered to shut down later,” Soriano said.
Soriano cited 10 sizeable poultry farms in barangay Sirawan, Toril, Davao City who are currently placed in a difficult situation as they are cited by the city government as subject for closures due to health and sanitary considerations.
Soriano belongs to Doña Carmen Soriano clan who owns the Monte Maria Poultry Farm in Catalunan Grande, which was closed last year upon orders of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte due to the foul odor it emits to nearby residences within the village.
The Monte Maria Poultry Farm is currently in the process of relocating in Calinan at considerable amount of expenses, Soriano said.
For a layer farm, an investor has to shell an initial investment of P2.5 million of which P1.5 million is spent for 6,000 birds (chicken/hens).