Mandaue City veterinary warns illegal slaughterhouses

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City veterinary office has ordered non-accredited slaughterhouses to stop operating now that the city's own slaughterhouse is fully operational.

The warning came following the resumption of the full operation of the city slaughterhouse after a dry run was conducted last July 8, said city veterinarian Dr. Daisy Penetrante.

She said the dry run was supervised by officials of the National Meat Inspection Commission.

Penetrante said that as early as last June, her office had already warned illegal operators to close down their operations.

But since many of the operators had defied the orders, her office would issue notices of violations to them. Stubborn operators risk confiscation of slaughtered meat. They also face the prospect of being charged in court.

Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes has been pushing for its reopening and had asked the previous city council to hasten the approval of the memorandum of agreement with the contractor.

The reopening of the slaughterhouse would ensure the safety of the consumers, Cortes said.

The facility bogged down in 2007 just as Mayor Cortes took his seat from his predecessor, former Mayor Thadeo Ouano.

The P6 million newly reopened facility is classified by NMYC as AA which means that it is automated and can accommodate 300 hogs per day and can accommodate clients within the province and the city of Cebu.

Engr. Alvin Ceniza, in-charge of the technical aspect and maintenance of the facility, said that with a new boiler, the slaughterhouse is now in the process of perfecting the operation.

The other day, the slaughterhouse butchered almost 200 hogs.

With the cooperation of stakeholders, Ceniza is optimistic that the maximum target of 300 hogs a day can be attained. (THE FREEMAN)