DA defers construction of 2 AAA abattoirs

MANILA, Philippines - The government is postponing the construction of two export-oriented slaughterhouses in Luzon next year because local government units (LGUs) that are the intended beneficiaries of the project are not yet prepared to host the abattoirs.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) had allotted P180 million this year for the construction of two AAA slaughterhouses in Luzon to enable hog raisers to supply the cuts required by meat processors.

Eyed as locations are large pig farms north of Manila (provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Pampanga) and south of Manila (provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Cavite).

National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) director Minda Manantan said

the Livestock Development Council (LDC) is still identifying the LGU that would host the slaughterhouses and the cooperatives that would run it.

“Once the LDC gives us the go signal, we will begin (the construction of slaughterhouses). We are ready with the plan but we do not want to implement it when the beneficiaries are not yet ready,” she said.

“The goal of the department is to put up these slaughterhouses to supply the needs of meat processors so all those involved should be ready,” she added.

Manantan said the budget originally intended for the export-capacity slaughterhouses would be used instead for the construction and rehabilitation of two AA slaughterhouses that would be carried out between the remaining days of 2012 until next year.