Farmers and livestock owners in Barangay Besigan, Cagayan de Oro may soon face clearer rules on animal grazing as local officials move to prevent crop damage and disputes caused by roaming livestock.
The City Council’s Committee on Barangay Affairs recently approved a proposed barangay ordinance regulating the grazing and tethering of animals within the community.
If formally adopted, the measure would prohibit livestock owners from allowing animals to graze or stay on property they do not own without permission from landowners.
Officials said the proposal aims to better protect crops, trees, and farms while encouraging responsible animal ownership.
For many farmers, roaming livestock can destroy plants and damage agricultural property, often leading to conflicts between neighbors.
Under the proposed rules, livestock owners would also be reminded to properly supervise and confine their animals to prevent them from wandering into nearby farms and residential areas.
Barangay officials noted that animal owners may be held responsible for damages caused by their livestock under the Civil Code of the Philippines.
The proposed ordinance also gives affected residents a clearer basis for reporting incidents involving damaged crops or trees to barangay authorities.
Residents are reminded not to allow livestock to graze or stay on another person’s property without permission from the landowner. Animal owners are also encouraged to keep their livestock properly confined or supervised to prevent them from roaming into nearby farms and residential areas.
Barangay officials said residents whose crops or trees are damaged by roaming animals may report the incident to local authorities for appropriate action. However, officials clarified that penalties and enforcement measures will only take effect once the ordinance is formally approved and implemented.
The proposed measure is among 11 barangay ordinances recently endorsed by the committee to address community concerns across different barangays in the city.
Officials said the goal is to balance the needs of farmers and livestock owners while reducing conflicts and protecting livelihoods in the community.
