The Department of Interior and Local Goverment on Thursday closed down a banca-making shop in Antipolo because of complaints from residents.

DILG Undersecretary Felicito Valmocina, who heads the Office of the Secretary for Barangay Affairs, sent his staff to serve the closure order on the owner of the fiberglass banca factory located in Brgy. Inarawan in Antipolo City.

Valmocina said residents in the area have been complaining about the foul smell emanating from the factory owned by one John Mesias. Residents had sought the barangay’s help over the problem, but the owner did not show up for a dialogue, prompting the complainants to seek the DILG’s help.

During the inspection and serving of the closure order, Valmocina’s staff saw gallons of chemicals and paints used in making fiberglass bancas.

The shop’s caretaker and workers also failed to present any permit from the local government, but said their finished products are purchased and sometimes ordered by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, which give it for free to fisherfolk.