ILOILO – A prolonged dispute over foul odor and fly infestation allegedly caused by a poultry farm in Tigbauan, Iloilo has taken a major turn.
The poultry farm owner withdrew a civil case against three barangay officials and 18 residents who had complained about the facility’s operations.
The decision by Dr. Maricor Borra, owner of GT Poultry Farm, offers a breakthrough in the controversy that had prompted the suspension of the farm’s operations and pushed Barangay Linobayan officials to submit their mass resignation in protest over what they perceived as government inaction.
Barangay Linobayan captain Rene Taño said Borra personally visited their barangay hall on Saturday, October 10, to inform them of her decision to withdraw the case filed against him, barangay councilors Efren Tayag and Rico Taño, and 18 residents.
The respondents had signed a written complaint submitted to the Tigbauan municipal government in June 2025, raising concerns over foul odor and fly infestation allegedly originating from the poultry facility in neighboring Barangay Sipitan.
According to Taño, Borra expressed her desire to restore peace and normalcy in the community after months of tension surrounding the poultry farm’s operations.
The barangay captain welcomed the development, saying the withdrawal would ease the legal burden on residents and officials who had raised concerns about the farm’s environmental impact.
“Very happy gid, not only ang barangay officials kundi ang tanan nga mga pumoluyo nga ginkasohan. Wala na sila problemahon kay wala na sila sang kaso,” he said.
Garin’s intervention credited
Taño credited Iloilo 1st District’s Cong. Janette Garin for helping resolve the dispute, saying her intervention paved the way for negotiations between the parties.
He said Borra’s decision did not come as a complete surprise because barangay officials were aware of Garin’s efforts to settle the controversy.
The congresswoman had earlier intervened after Linobayan officials submitted their mass resignation on August 26, 2026, in frustration over what they described as the municipal government’s failure to adequately address their complaints.
Garin subsequently appealed to the officials to defer their resignations while she worked toward resolving the dispute.
Their resignations were eventually put on hold.
Farm reopening still subject to conditions
Despite the withdrawal of the civil case, the poultry farm’s resumption of operations remains subject to stringent environmental and public health requirements imposed by the Tigbauan municipal government.
Mayor Virgilio “Nene” Teruel ordered the suspension of GT Poultry Farm’s operations effective August 28 following mounting complaints from residents and the intervention of Garin.
Under the suspension order, the facility may resume operations only after securing certification from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 6 confirming full compliance with sanitation and environmental protection regulations.
These include the implementation of measures to control or minimize foul odor and fly infestation.
The municipal government’s Special Composite Team must likewise certify, following inspection and validation, that the poultry farm has complied with local sanitation regulations and that no foul odor or fly infestation is observed in the affected area.
The farm must also allow municipal inspectors unrestricted access to its facilities for monitoring and inspection.
Other conditions include the settlement of existing legal disputes with Barangay Linobayan residents and additional safeguards necessary to protect public health, safety and order.
Public consultations with residents of Barangays Sipitan and Linobayan may also be required.
The withdrawal of the civil case could help address one of the conditions for reopening, but it does not automatically establish the farm’s compliance with the environmental and sanitation requirements.
Months of complaints and protests
The controversy began in June 2025 when Linobayan residents and officials complained about persistent foul odor and swarms of flies allegedly coming from GT Poultry Farm.
Their frustration escalated after more than a year of complaints, culminating in the submission of mass resignation letters by barangay officials on August 26, 2026.
Apart from Taño, those who submitted their resignations were councilors Efren Tayag, Johnny Vale, Rico Taño, Leticia Tresplacios, Letecia Tasic, Mary Rose Agapay-Sagala and Joesa Mae Mendez, along with Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson EJelyn Claire Casio.
The resignations were intended to underscore their dissatisfaction with the handling of the community’s complaints./PN
