MANILA, Philippines - The meat processing industry in the Philippines continues to grow this year, as more investments are made by companies to expand their operations and produce world-class products amid intensifying global competition.
“The inauguration of CDO Foodsphere Inc.’s new plant in Batangas is just another manifestation that the processed meat industry remains steadfast despite the tough economic environment that has affected other sectors of the economy,” according to the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc (PAMPI).
PAMPI president Felix O. Tiukinhoy, Jr. said the opening of CDO’s new plant only proves that the industry is thriving and continues on a growth path that will ultimately benefit the consumers. “I commend CDO for being true to PAMPI’s mission of delivering safe, wholesome processed meat products to our fellow Filipinos at constantly affordable prices even in times of economic difficulty,” Tiukinhoy said.
To ensure the continuous growth of the industry, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has identified several measures and policies to help the meat processing industry, amid the global economic downturn.
Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup, who witnessed the opening of CDO Foodsphere Inc.’s newest and largest plant in Malvar, Batangas on June 26, cited the significant contribution of the processed meat industry to the agriculture sector as well as to the whole economy.
In particular, he described CDO Foodsphere as one of the best and strongest allies of the government in increasing the production and income of Filipino farmers. “CDO’s utilization of modern machines and techniques, creation of new meat by-products and proper packaging, have contributed immensely to the realization of our goal of a stable supply of basic commodities at affordable prices,” he said.
“We are pleased that companies like CDO Foodsphere have demonstrated a strong willingness to assume the lead in the promotion of the country’s animal industry. This plant which will produce 150,000 kilos of different processed meat products daily, is a clear indication of CDO’s resolve to participate in our efforts to accelerate national agricultural development,” he said.
Salacup said hotdogs, corned beef and other processed meat products have become very much a part of modern diet of Filipinos. “And so, the Filipino meat processing industry has become a very profitable retail enterprise, and is therefore partly responsible for the sustained expansion of the Filipino livestock and poultry industry,” he said.
He cited the estimate made by PAMPI that the annual per capita consumption of meat products in the Philippines is now seven kilograms.
In support of the industry, Salacup said the Department of Agriculture will relentlessly assist the processed meat industry by providing a conducive and healthy business environment through appropriate policies and programs.
These programs include the Abattoir Development Program of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) in all establishments nationwide.
Salacup said the NMIS is committed to regular monitoring and inspection of meat plants regarding compliance to health and administrative rules, and continued pursuit of the accreditation program for meat importers. The NMIS has begun the upgrade of its satellite meat laboratories in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Socsksargen.
More importantly, NMIS has acquired a sophisticated equipment for Veterinary Drug Residues for its Central Meat Laboratory (CML), as a part of its aggressive modernization efforts that is expected to be completed by 2010. This made NMIS-CML the first laboratory in the Philippines to own such state-of-the-art equipment, he said.
The NMIS is on the process of applying for ISO accreditation for its CML to boost the confidence of the meat processing sector and importing countries on the said laboratory.
Salacup disclosed that the NMIS and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) are now on the final stages of their work on a joint draft administrative order (AO) on the delineation of the duties and responsibilities of the two agencies over meat and meat products.