Residents of Barangay Villa Hermoza Sur in Maddela, Quirino province, may finally see relief after provincial officials moved against a piggery following 14 years of complaints over alleged environmental and health hazards.

The Quirino provincial government convened a public hearing on 26 June after residents complained about severe odor and improper waste disposal at Golda Farm.

During the hearing, Vice Governor Julius Caesar "Jojo" Vaquilar rebuked Maddela Mayor Rimel Tolentino and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Region 2 for their prolonged inaction, saying the issue had remained unresolved for years.

Golda Farm, a medium-scale piggery owned by Marivic Tejada, had allegedly been operating without key local clearances, including barangay, municipal business, sanitation and zoning permits, since 2012.

Provincial officials also questioned the farm's continued operations despite relying on a 2017 Environmental Compliance Certificate. A 2023 relocation resolution passed during the previous municipal administration was likewise criticized as ineffective.

In a move that drew criticism from provincial officials, the DENR-EMB Region 2 served a suspension order on the farm just 20 minutes before the hearing.

EMB Legal Unit Chief Atty. Kathleen Aquino said the suspension followed a surprise inspection that documented alleged violations.

During the hearing, Tejada claimed she possessed a valid business permit. However, Tolentino clarified that the document was only a receipt for an application filed the previous day.

A joint inspection by provincial and local officials later confirmed the presence of a strong odor and the lack of a proper waste disposal system.

Following the inspection and the issuance of the suspension order, Tejada pledged to comply with all local permit requirements, secure Department of Agriculture shipping clearances and improve the farm's waste management system.