Wastes from piggeries may have contaminated the Hagimit and Dao Falls in Samal Island, which were ordered closed due to presence of high E. coli content in the water.

According to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-IGACOS, many sources of pollutants such as piggeries were found upstream in Barangay Tagbitan-ag and Barangay Licup.

“Upon investigation, wala kaayo mga balay balay o mga housing sa whole stretch sa riverine sa hagimit but we have found out nga sa upstream niya sa different barangay actually in Barangay Tagbitan-ag and Barangay Licup, daghan gyud og mga sources sa pollutants such as mga babuyan,” CENRO-IGACOS Senior Environmental Management Specialist, Engineer Kim Garciano, said.

During inspection, seven piggeries were found operating near the creeks.

“Most of the backyard raisers nato kay 99% sa mga swine raisers diri mga backyard man naa gyud sa mga creeks unya ang ilahang mga hugaw padulong jud sa creeks,” City Veterinary Office Head, Edunel Sala, said.

Of the seven, only one is operating with a permit while two others were found operating in a residential zone.

“We have city ordinance on livestock and poultry approved in 2018 nga naay gi-allow nato nga magbuhi sila pero kailang nila nga I-register ang ilang backyard farms para at least mu-follow pud sila sa guidelines nga gi-set sa maong ordinance,” Sala added.

The City Veterinary Office has advised hog raisers to put up septic tanks to prevent possible contamination, especially that African swine fever (ASF) remains a threat.

“Part pud sa among mga recommendations is magmuntar jud sila og mga septic tanks to prevent also kanang mga possible contamination pud because there is still a threat to African swine fever,” Sala said.

A septic tank of one of the piggeries in Barangay Tagbitan-ag reportedly overflows during heavy rains.

“Dili na siya makaabot sa pinakababa kay gi-tamnan namo siya og kangkong and plants. Katung kusog ang water ang rainfall talaga, muawas lang siya,” Raymark Espinosa, general manager of a piggery, said.

The local government is finalizing the implementation of a deadline for hog raisers to comply with the recommendations as regards the wastes that go to the falls.

Those who will not meet the deadline will be penalized.

“Sa city ordinance nato, ma-penalize pud sila. Naay corresponding penalty if they will not follow with the said deadline,” Sala said.

Since 2022, the sites have been closed temporarily for rehabilitation and on March 22, 2024, the local government issued another executive order closing the Hagimit riverine.